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After Eid-ul-Fitr, the celebration signifying the end of Ramadan, the second celebration that Muslims look forward to all over the world is Eid-ul-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) or sometimes called the 'big Eid'. It is celebrated once the annual Pilgrimage to Mecca has been completed on the 10th day in the month of Duhl-Hijja which is the last month of the Muslim year. Every year it falls 11 days earlier because of being based on the lunar calendar.

Celebrating this Eid and the days that lead up to it are especially important if you are a pilgrim. This means you have completed one of the pillars of Islam, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and you have had the experience of following in the footsteps of the great Prophets like Abraham and Muhammad. The joy of celebrating Eid-ul-Adha everywhere in the world is great but celebrating it in Mecca is a joyous occasion indeed. The sacrifice associated with this Eid is symbolic of the sacrifice that God had commanded Abraham to perform. This was the sacrifice of his only son Ishmael and Abraham without question proceeded to carry out this sacrifice. It was only at the last minute that his son was saved and was replaced by a ram.

Abraham had passed the test that God had planned for him and to this day people celebrate the moment on Eid-ul-Adha by sacrificing goats, sheep and even camels in some Islamic countries. The name of Allah is recited when the animal is sacrificed and there is a special way of slaughtering the animals to make their suffering as humane as possible. This is called the halal way of sacrifice and is the only meat that Muslims can eat because of the way it has been sacrificed and because of the recital of Allah's name during the sacrifice. There are slaughterhouses that carry this out in the Western countries whereas in other Muslim countries people can slaughter the animal at home.

This event is celebrated over a period of 3 days and the meat from the sacrifices is given to friends, to the poor and lastly to the family. The morning starts by going for special Eid prayers to nearby mosques and this gives everyone a chance to meet and greet each other and a chance to meet those you haven't met for a while. People make an effort to dress up in new clothes for the occasion and in every home there is much feasting and a spirit of festivity surrounds everyone. Families and friends get together for meals, gifts and Eid cards are exchanged and it is a particularly joyous time for adults and children alike. Charity in the forms of money or presents is encouraged so that the poor and the needy do not feel left out at this time and can join in the celebrations of this auspcious occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.

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