Happy Eid al-Adha!

We wish a Happy Eid and many blessings to all who are celebrating this holyday!

Eid al-Adha today is one of the two most important festivals in the Muslim calendar observed and celebrated worldwide other being Eid al-Fitr. But its considered to be holier of the two festivals. It is also known as “Sacrifice Feast” or “Bakr-Eid”. Eid al-Adha is celebrated annually on the 10th day of the 12th and the last Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah of the lunar Islamic calendar. Eid al-Adha celebrations start after the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide. The date is approximately 70 days (2 Months and 10 days) after the end of the month of Ramadan. Ritual observance of the holiday lasts until sunset of the 13th day of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Eid al-Adha is celebrated by Muslims to mark the occasion when Allah (God) appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, to demonstrate his devotion to the Almighty.
Ignoring the advice of the Shaitan (Devil) , he drove Satan away by throwing pebbles at him, who tried to tempt Ibrahim into disobeying God by saying he should spare Ishmael. Ibrahim was about to press ahead with the sacrifice before Allah sends his angel, Jibra’il, to inform Ibrahim that he has already accepted the sacrifice and gave him a lamb to kill instead. The story is designed to demonstrate how Ibrahim’s devotion passed even the sternest test with ease.

Arafat Day is the second day of the annual haj . The holiday takes place the day before the start of Eid Al Adha. At dawn, Muslim pilgrims make their way from Mina to a nearby hillside called Mount Arafat and a plain called the Plain of Arafat. Goats, lambs, known as aḍḥiya, are sacrificed as part of religious celebration on Eid al-Adha and the sacrificed meat is divided into three parts: one part for the family, one part for relatives, and one part for the poor. Most muslims make a special effort to pray and listen to a sermon at a mosque. They also wear new clothes, visit family members and friends is a part and parcel of the festival. In the period around Eid al-Adha, many Muslims travel to Mecca and the surrounding area in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.

This year Eid al-Adha falls on 11 September 2016 and 12 September 2016.