Eid- Ul- Adha - A Sacred Festival of Sacrifice

One of the major festivals of Muslims is Eid- Ul- Adha. Eid- Ul- Adha is also known by the name of Bakr- Eid. It is the festival of sacrifice. Muslims sacrifice their domestic animals like goat, sheep, cows and camels on this festival. The sacrifice Muslims make on this day symbolizes the sacrifice made by Prophet Abraham. The celebrations of this festival begin after the Hajj. On the tenth day of Duhl-Hijja, the very first day of Eid-Ul-Adha is celebrated. Duhl-Hijja is the last month of the Islamic year. In some areas, Muslims rejoice in the celebrations of Eid-Ul-Adha for many days. This year, Eid- Ul- Adha will be celebrated on 16th November.

Throughout the planet, Eid-Ul-Adha is known by several names such as ‘Sacrifice Feast’ or ‘Kurban Bayrami’. It is known as ‘Hari Raya Haji’ in Singapore and Malaysia. It is known by the name of Tabaski in West Africa. The name ‘Hari Raya Aidiladha’ is famous in South East Asia. In India it is known as Eid- al-Adha or Idu’z Zuha. Eid-ul-Azha or Id al-Adha names are famous in Bangladesh. Though this festival differs in name but the spirit to celebrate it is the same throughout the globe.

Eid-Ul-Adha occurs around seventy days after the end of Ramadan month. This festival is celebrated in the memory of Prophet Abraham to be ready to sacrifice his son to obey God. God instructed Abraham to lift up the foundation of Kaaba which was a sacred place in Mecca. In a dream, God also asked Abraham to forfeit his son. Abraham took his son to sacrifice him and obey God. When Abraham reached the place where he was instructed to sacrifice his son, God has already kept a sheep there to be sacrificed instead of his son. Thereby this festival is said to be a festival of sacrifice. Some people commemorate Eid- ul- Adha because it ends the Hajj for those Muslims who make a trip to Mecca every year.

On Eid- ul- Adha people recite prayers early morning followed by Khutba and then the breakfast of Sheer Korma gives a delicious start to the day. The animal is sacrificed after the breakfast. There are certain age and quality standards for sacrificial animal or else the animal is considered an unacceptable sacrifice. Meat of the slaughtered animal is distributed among friends, family and poor people. It is an assumption that Eid- ul- Adha lasts for three days but according to some Islamic traditions Eid- ul- Adha lasts for four days and it is Eid- ul- Fitr that lasts for three days. People visit their near and dear ones in the evening. Those who visit Muslim places on this day are served lip smacking food and drinks.

On this festive occasion, markets are decorated nicely and the cheerful Muslims do shopping to their heart’s content. Children are very excited to wear new clothes. They enjoy receiving gifts, perks, sweets and new clothes.

People also greet their loved ones with Eid- ul- Adha cards or ecards: