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, sacrifices, and celebration occurs in Saudi Arabia during Eid-ul-Adha.
Indonesia
In Indonesia the Islamic religion is extremely popular, and many gather at mosques early in the day for prayers and sacrificing. During this holiday many families go to the local mosque where cows, goats, and lambs are offered publically. Chanting coincides with the sacrifices, and Muslims share the meat of the sacrifice with all in the form of a feast.
Bangladesh
During Eid-ul-Adha in Bangladesh, it is mandatory that an animal is sacrificed, and the animal's age and health is important. An unhealthy animal is considered an imperfect sacrifice. The sacrifices start during morning prayers, and they continue for three days during Eid-ul-Adha in Bangladesh. Feasts and prayers are similar in Bangladesh as they are in many other countries, except the sacrifice is extremely important.
Turkey
Muslims in Turkey come together on Eid-ul-Adha to worship Allah and enjoy time with family and friends. This celebration lasts four days, and families and friends spend this day visiting and entertaining each other. During Eid-ul-Adha many people in Turkey still make sacrifices, but some have started donating to local charities instead to help the people in need, and sacrifices are not allowed in public places. Some stores will still remain open, but many close for the entire duration of the holiday.
Egypt
In Egypt, Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated by morning prayers and feasting, but it is referred to as Eid el-Kibr. Morning prayers at a mosque and a sermon are the tradition of Muslims during this holiday, and after their prayers, they meet with their friends and family for a celebratory feast. During this Muslim holiday, the wealthy and charity organizations give beef and other foods to the poor in honor of the sacrifice associated with this holiday.
Pakistan
Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated as a 4 day event in Pakistan; the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha occurs in Pakistan on the 27th or 28th of November. During this holiday, stores are closed and Muslims attend morning prayers and a sermon. After this, Muslims will attend a great feast, and those who can afford it will sacrifice an animal to honor God, and they will share the meat with their friends, family and the poor.
Morocco
In Morocco, Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated as a 3 day festival, and it is celebrated similarly to other locations. The morning starts with prayers and a sermon at the local mosque and a sacrifice of a cow, ram or lamb is made after the sermon and prayers. The meat from the sacrifice is distributed among the poor people of the area, and a feast is among friends and family.
Africa
Eid-ul-Adha is a celebrated in Africa in a similar fashion as it is celebrated in many other countries, but there are a few unique twists that occur during this holiday. Eid-ul-Adha is a very popular holiday, and a great time of excitement in Africa. The Muslims in this country buy new clothes and clean their houses well during this holiday. They also give out coins to children and single women during this holiday. Like many other countries a sacrifice occurs, and in Africa a sheep must be sacrificed by all married me, and a goat or chicken can be offered if a sheep is too expensive. The meat is given to the poor, friends and family, and some of it is kept. A prayer is said to Allah when the sacrifice happens, and families share the cooked food and visit their friends. Eid-ul-Adha is also known as Tobaski day in Africa, but it is still celebrated in remembrance of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his own son for God.
Eid-ul-Adha is a special time for Muslims around the world; it is a time where they honor God by showing their faith and devotion through sacrifice, feast and prayer. This Muslim holiday is celebrated around the world, and some traditions are slightly different, but the devotion and honor of God remains the same during Eid-ul-Adha around the world.