Eid ul-Adha  2017

One of the most important festival and a religious holiday, Eid ul-Adha is celebrated by Islam followers worldwide. Famous with names like the Feast of Sacrifice, this merriment is scheduled every year as per the moon or lunar based Islamic calendar. Lasting for ten days, Eid ul-Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah.(Islamic Month)

Date 2017

This year, the commencement of Eid ul-Adha is predicted to be the evening of September 1st.

 Belief

The festival of Sacrifice is observed to honour the courage and willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his first child Ishmael to prove submission to God’s command. This sacrifice of Ishmael was prevented by God, who intervened and instead gave a lamb to Abraham for sacrifice.

Traditions and Practices

Often known as the Greater Eid, this festival is celebrated after almost 1.5 million Muslims visit Mecca in Saudi Arabia to fulfill the annual pilgrimage called “Hajj”. As per Islam all Muslims ought to go on Hajj at least once in their lifetime.
Like all celebrations, Eid ul-Adha sees merriment and vim among people. New dresses and the finest of the collections are worn for the prayers in an open field of a mosque. The Muslims, who have enough resources and money, sacrifice their best domestic animals also known as halal which can be a camel, ram, cow, goat, sheep etc. as per the place they live in. This sacrifice is carried out to honour Abraham and his preparedness to sacrifice his son.

One third of the cooked meat is retained by the family while another third is distributed among relatives and friends. The rest of the meat is given to the impoverished to observe the practice of charity .

The most significant parts of the celebrations remain the chanting of the Takbir (ALLAH Akbar) before the Eid prayers are made on the first day and after the prayers on the four days of the festival. Among women application of henna in different and elaborate designs on palms remains a special preparation of the festival. While children are blessed with gifts, the adults enjoy visiting each others’ homes and enjoying sumptuous meals. Ref www.theeid.com

May we wish all our muslim neighbours a Happy Eid and may we wish all our friends and family and neighbours another blessed and peaceful year Insha’Allah (God Willing)

(ref image htpp://eidmubarak4u.blogspot.ie)