Islamic holiday honored in Russia

MOSCOW, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Moscow police tried to maintain order Friday as thousands of Muslims celebrated the Islamic holiday Kurban-Bayram, a source at the mayor's office said.

The unidentified source told ITAR-Tass in anticipation of Friday's celebrations of the Islamic holiday, police closed off certain Moscow streets and increased security at mosques throughout Moscow.

Nearly 50,000 Muslims were expected to gather at Moscow's cathedral mosque in honor of Kurban-Bayram, which follows the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Islam Nazaraliyev, spokesman for the hajj council of the government's commission for religious organizations' affairs, said 20,500 Russians traveled to the Saudi Arabian holy city for this year's pilgrimage.

An unidentified source said last year's gathering at the Prospekt Mira mosque drew nearly 40,000 people.

Certain regions of Russia with traditional Islamic population are also offering workers a day off in honor of the Islamic holiday, ITAR-Tass reported.

The Federal Registration Service estimates Russia is home to more than 3,500 Muslim communities and organizations.