Yesterday marked a special day for Muslims worldwide, as they got together to celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the most significant holidays in Islam! Known as the “Festival of Sacrifice”, Eid al-Adha is not only a great celebration but an important time for reflection, generosity and community.

Why is it Celebrated?

The origin of Eid al-Adha is based on the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), and the holiday commemorates his willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail (Ishmael), in obedience to God's command. As the story goes, just as Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, God intervened and provided a ram to be sacrificed instead. The story highlights values essential to Islam, such as faith, obedience and willingness to sacrifice, and Eid al-Adha became the holiday to celebrate and honour Ibrahim’s devotion and God’s mercy.

Eid al-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr

Back in April, we celebrated Eid ul-Fitr and while Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are both major holidays in the Islamic calendar, there are clear differences between them.

Eid ul-Fitr is the holiday celebrated after Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. After a month of self-discipline and spiritual reflection, this day is filled with gratitude and festivity – and lots of food!

Eid al-Adha takes place around 70 days after Eid ul-Fitr. It falls in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, Dhul Hijjah (meaning “The Month of the Pilgrimage”), and coincides with the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, also known as Hajj.

Ways to Celebrate

Celebrations can look different for all Muslims and can depend on family traditions or cultural influence, but here are some ways the day can be celebrated.

·  Perform Qurbani: to follow the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim, Muslims who can afford to are encouraged to perform Qurbani, which is the act of sacrificing a sheep, goat, cow, or camel, and to distribute the meat among family, friends, and those in need.

·  Attend Eid Prayers: participate in communal morning prayer at the mosque, which is followed by a sermon and community gathering.

·  Share a Meal: enjoy traditional dishes with loved ones or attend Eid potluck at the mosque.

·  Give to Charity: support those in need by donating to charitable organizations.

·  Visit Family and Friends: celebrations are better together, so gather around with relatives and neighbours to exchange gifts and well-wishes.

·  Reflect and Pray: spend time in personal reflection and prayer, deepening your spiritual connection.

How did you celebrate Eid al-Adha this year?

TLDR:

·  Yesterday, Muslims celebrated Eid al-Adha, meaning “Festival of Sacrifice”.

·  The origin of the holiday is based on the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and commemorates his devotion and willingness to sacrifice, as well as God’s mercy to him.

·  Eid al-Adha falls about 70 days after Eid ul-Fitr, which is another significant Islamic holiday that is celebrated after the month of Ramadan.

·  Celebrations include performing Qurbani (which is the act of sacrificing an animal and distributing the meat among loved ones and those in need), attending a special morning prayer at the mosque, visiting friends and family and sharing a meal with loved ones, donating to charity, and spending time in personal reflection and prayer.

We hope you all had a wonderful Eid and we wish everyone a happy Monday!

The Inclusivity Group