by Elisabeth Mcgrath

Created on: November 22, 2009   Last Updated: March 06, 2010

Muslims in Australia celebrate Eid-ul-Adha from about the 10th to the 13th days of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. The celebratory origin of the festival commemorates Ibraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael in obedience to the command of God. Eid-ul-Adha completes the period of the Hajj when Muslims, who can afford to do so, make a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Islamic businesses, schools and community organizations close down to honor the days.

Animal sacrifice

Custom requires that animals be sacrificed during Eid-ul-Adha. Australian Muslim communities are largely concentrated in city suburban areas and not all have room to breed their own animals. The purchase and care of an appropriate animal thus becomes a joint effort much along the lines of a buying co-operative.

Usually one family is chosen each year to collect the purchase price and maintenance costs of an animal from their neighbors or relatives. That family then keeps and cares for the animal under trusteeship for all who have made a financial contribution to the venture. There are regulations for the size of each animal against the number of people who can claim a share in its sacrifice.

Traditions

Eid-ul-Adha begins with prayers at the Mosque. People dress in their best clothes to honor the day and often new garments are bought for the occasion. Traffic around places of worship becomes heavy and parking spaces are difficult to find.

After prayers, people assemble at the home of the custodian who had the care of the sacrificial animal. Men who are especially trained in the slaughter and dissection of animals make sure that rituals are observed and oversee the even distribution of meat. The meat is then cooked and shared as part of a celebration feast. No left-over meat may be discarded. All that is cooked is eaten. Surplus, uncooked meat, is hygienically wrapped and given to the poor with gifts of money.

Significance

The days of Eid-ul-Adha represent the values of peace, respect, charity and community harmony. Money and gifts are given to the poor in the community and not restricted to fellow-Muslims. Visits to cemeteries take place in respectful remembrance of loved ones. Families visit the homes of friends and relatives throughout these days and share further festive meals. The guests are offered perfume to represent the aromatic fragrance of an acceptable sacrifice. They are given baklava and lokum (Turkish Delight) to signify the sweetness of full submission to God. Children are given coins.

Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated by Muslims in Australia to give thanks for God's provision and to show their gratitude by sharing His bounty with the poor and with each other in a spirit of love.

Information for this article came from staff at St Josephs Hospital in the Sydney suburb of Auburn. A practical demonstration of the spirit of Eid-ul-Adha was provided by a young Muslim doctor who passed briefly through the hospital without anyone knowing his name.

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