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What is Eid Al-Adha
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Festival of Sacrifice, Eid-al-Adha, immediately follows the
Day of Arafat. Although only the pilgrims in Mecca can participate
in the Hajj fully, all the other Muslims in the world join
with them by celebrating Eid Al-Adha, or "Celebration
of Sacrifice."
On the 10th day of Zul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic
calendar, Muslims around the world celebrate this feast of
commitment, obedience and self sacrifice to Allah. This festival
is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration
of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice everything for
God, including the life of his son Ishmael. |
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Because God spared Ishmael, substituting a sheep in his stead,
Muslims commemorate this occasion by slaughtering an animal and
distributing its meat among family, friends and the needy as a special
act of charity for the occasion. Because of this, many poor Muslims
are able to enjoy the unusual luxury of eating meat during the four
days of the festival.
They wear their nicest clothing and attend Salatul-Eid (Eid Prayer)
in the morning. This is followed by a short sermon, after which
everyone socializes. Next, people visit each other's homes and partake
in festive meals with special dishes, beverages, and desserts. Children
receive gifts and sweets on this happy occasion. In addition, like
the pilgrims in Makkah, the Muslims, who can afford to do so, offer
domestic animals, usually sheep, as a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice.
The meat is distributed for consumption to family, friends, and
to the poor and needy.
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