On September 20, 2009, Muslim holiday Eid al Fitr was celebrated in Kyrgyzstan, a Central Asian country with a population of 5.5 mln, out of which 75% is Muslim. This year Ramadan was difficult to many Muslims in Kyrgyzstan, as Ramadan, fourth pillar of Islam, during which Muslims fast for 30 days is shifting to more hot seasons from year to year*. During Ramadan, a fasting person cannot naither eat or drink, and therefore, it is hard to fast when it is hot, as one get easily dehydrated. However, mufti of Kyrgyzstan Murataly aji Jumanov told to the 1st channel of Kyrgyzstan:

…Despite hot weather, we witnessed more interest in Ramadan among people comparing to previous years, especially among youth.

*Muslims use the lunar calendar, which is shorter than the solar calendar for 10-11 days. Therefore, Ramadan, as well as other months in Muslim calendar, shifts to 10-11 days comparing to months in the solar calendar widely used around the world.

Photos from Eid al Fitr prayer at the central mosque of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: