Kazakhstan's Spiritual Administration of Muslims has called for a rethink of how memorial meals are organized, urging believers to abandon overly lavish dastarkhans that place an extra burden on the relatives of the deceased, the website infohub.kz reports.

In a published article, the administration notes that in Kazakh tradition the dastarkhan has long symbolized hospitality, prosperity and respect. At funerals and religious ceremonies, however, an abundance of food sometimes turns into a competition.

"In modern society, situations often arise where the abundance of the dastarkhan at funerals and religious ceremonies turns into a competition and leads to excessive spending. In such cases it is necessary to deeply understand the essence of the tradition itself and to rethink the true purpose of serving food. Providing food is not a display of wealth but a good deed performed through prayer and the remembrance of the deceased. Therefore, organizing the provision of food in accordance with the laws of Sharia and in harmony with tradition, without placing a financial burden on the grieving family, is a common duty for all," the publication says.

The Spiritual Administration recalled that back in 2020 it adopted a document titled "Food Culture," whose main goal is to conduct memorial meals within the framework of Sharia and in line with national traditions, protect the population and reduce the socio-economic burden on families.

"Continuing work in this direction, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan has also approved a single menu for funerals and memorial meals. It includes baursak and shelpek among baked goods, tea and water among beverages, and meat or pilaf among hot dishes. Butter, millet, sugar and sweets are offered as additions," the administration said.

The administration stressed that every family should organize the meal according to its financial means and not take on unaffordable expenses.

"Every family should act in accordance with its capabilities and not take on expenses it cannot afford. In our tradition, the duty of a brother who shares in grief is not to burden the grieving family by sharing a meal with them, but on the contrary to ease their grief. Food is not a subject for competition but a place where virtue and knowledge meet. Its value should be measured not by the amount of food on the table but by the respect shown, the prayers offered and the help given to those in need," the article says.