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Eid
al-Adha
Eid al-Adha "Festival of Sacrifice" or
"Greater Eid" is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims
worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his
son as an act of obedience to God, but instead was able to sacrifice a ram (by
God's command). Eid is also about spending time with family and friends,
sacrifice, and thanksgiving for being able to afford food and housing. In
traditional or agrarian settings, each family would sacrifice a domestic
animal, such as a sheep, goat, cow, or camel, by slaughter (though some
contemporary Muslims do not sacrifice an animal as part of their observance, it
is still a very popular tradition, even in Muslim communities in Europe). The
meat would then be divided into three equal parts to be distributed to others.
The family eats one third, another third is given to other relatives, friends
or neighbours, and the other third is given to the poor as a gift.
Eid al-Adha is celebrated
annually on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja. The festivities last for
three days or more depending on the country. Eid al-Adha celebrations start
after the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims
worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. The date is approximately 70 days after
the end of the month of Ramadan.