Following the day of Hajj or Pilgrimage (9th of Thw al-Hijjah), it
comes the Eidul Adha day. It begins from the 10th of the 12th month of Islamic
lunar calendar. This is the second main annual festival in Islam. On this day,
like on the Eidul Fitr celebration, festivities begin with a prayer service held
in an open place in the morning of the first day. This prayer is usually
attended by a large number of Muslims. Since this festival occurs immediately
after the Day of Pilgrimage, those who go to make pilgrimage celebrate it in
Mina, near Makkah. Other Muslims around the world also join with the pilgrims in
their joy and thanksgiving.
One significance of Eidul Adha is that it is a time of sacrifice. Muslims
commemorate Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice everything for Allah
including his beloved son, Ismael. Since Allah gave Prophet Abraham a lamb to
sacrifice instead of sacrificing his son, Muslims also offer the sacrifice of
animals. The sacrifice can be done after the prayer on the 10th until 12th day
of Thw al-Hijjah month before sunset. The meat of the animals is given to needy
people and friends and a portion of it is also kept for one's own consumption.
Often people cook this meat during holidays, make feasts and enjoy the
celebration.
|
