by Sarah Ganly

Created on: November 13, 2009   Last Updated: November 18, 2009

Eid-ul-Adha is a Muslim festival that marks the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca known as Hajj. Eid-ul-Adha is also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, and it commemorates Abraham's faith and devotion to God.

According to Muslim belief, God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, and although he was a good man and loved his son, his faith and devotion to God was strong enough that he would accommodate God's request. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his own son for God caused God to spare his son's life, and a lamb was sacrificed in his place. Eid-ul-Adha is a sacred Muslim holiday that is celebrated around the world with prayer, sacrifice and food.

This Muslim holiday does not always fall on the same date every year; Eid-ul-Adha occurs annually and it follows the Islamic calendar. The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and Eid-ul-Adha falls on the tenth day of the month of Dual Hijja, and this month is the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.

Many customs are similar during the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha around the world, and the morning prayers are also known as salah. The sermon that follows the congregational prayers is called khutbah, and the prayers occur between sunrise and afternoon. The Feast of the Sacrifice is a popular Muslim holiday of devotion, worship, sharing, and community.

United States

In the United States, many Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Adha by going to morning prayers at a mosque instead of eating breakfast. After the morning prayers, they have a feast with their family and friends and they enjoy being together and sharing. Sacrificing an animal is not a popular part of Eid-ul-Adha in the United States, and although it is commonly a 3 day holiday, it is celebrated mainly on 1 day.

Asia

Muslims from allover Asia celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, and Eid-ul-Adha is popularly known as Baqr-e-Eid. Muslims in Asia gather together very early in the morning; they pray and make their offering at a local Mosque. Family and friends sped their time together on this holiday praying and celebrating peacefully.

Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia Muslims celebrate and honor this holiday by making grand sacrifices. Camels and cows are commonly killed as offerings and remembrance of God's miracle to Abraham. During Eid-ul-Adha Saudi Arabians symbolically stone the devil in tribute of how Abraham was tempted not to sacrifice his son by the devil. During this holiday Muslims will cast seven pebbles at three pillars to commemorate this holiday and honor God. Great feasting,

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