Also known as Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Zhaa, Hari Raya Haji or Bakraid. The Festival of Sacrifice is the most important festival in the Muslim calendar.
This festival is also known as Al-Eid-ul-Kabeer, which means 'The Great Eid'. It has more religious significance because this Eid lasts four days while Eid al-Fitr is one day, although most countries celebrate roughly the same holidays for both Eids.
This festival is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice everything for God.
Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and last month of the Islamic calendar.
As the exact day is based on moon sighting, the date may vary between countries.
Traditions of Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha concludes the pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Adha lasts three days and commemorates Ibrahim (Abraham)'s willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son.
The same story appears in the Bible and is familiar to Jews and Christians. One important difference is that Muslims believe that the son was Ishmael rather than Isaac as mentioned in the Old Testament. Eid al-Lahama, which means 'Feast of the Meat'.
According to the Qur'an, Abraham was about to sacrifice his son when a voice from heaven stopped him and allowed him to do something else as a 'great sacrifice'. In the Old Testament, it is a ram that is sacrificed instead of a son.
In Islam, Ishmael is considered a prophet and ancestor of Muhammad.
During the Eid al-Adha festival, Muslims re-enact Abraham's obedience by sacrificing a cow or ram. The family will eat about one-third of the food, one-third goes to friends and relatives, and the other third is donated to the poor and needy.
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