Muslim world celebrates 'Eid'l Adha'

The celebration of the Eid’l Adha, also known as the Greater Eid or Festival of the Sacrifice, commemorates and pays tribute to the patriarch Abraham (Ibrahim among Muslims) and his willingness, as the Bible narrates, to sacrifice his son Ishmael, as an act of obedience to God. According to the Qu’ran, just before Abraham was to sacrifice his son, Allah replaced Ishmael with a ram, thus sparing his life. Eid’l Adha is a religious holiday observed by the Muslim community worldwide.

This year, in the Philippines, Eid’l Adha begins at sunset on November 6, 2011, and ends at sunset on November 7, 2011. It is a national holiday under Republic Act 9849 signed on December 11, 2009. The basis for Eid’l Adha comes from Sura 2 (Al-Baqara) Ayah 196 in the Qur’an. It is celebrated annually on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah of the lunar Islamic calendar, starting at the conclusion of the Hajj for Muslims or pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The date is approximately 70 days after the Eid’l Fitr or end of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Worldwide, Eid’l Adha is known by other names – Hari Raya Haji in Singapore and Malaysia, Tabaski in West Africa, Hari Raya Aidiladha in Southeast Asia, Id al-adha among Indians, and Eid-ul Azha in Bangladesh. But wherever they are, Muslims celebrate the feast with joy and enthusiasm.

They dress in their finest garments and slaughter animals such as goat, sheep, cow, and camel, to share with family, relatives, friends, and with the poor, to symbolize the sacrifice made by Abraham in obedience to Allah and as an act of generosity, one of the five pillars of Islam. Children get toys and food from older people. Their collective prayer is performed in congregation in open areas like fields, squares, or in mosques.

We greet our Muslim brothers and sisters on their celebration of Eid’l Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice. We wish them “Eid Murbarak!” or holiday blessings! Assalamu Alaikum! (Peace in the name of God!)

Reposted from mb.com.ph

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