Eid al-Adha

Donald W. Reid 2012

Donald W. Reid 2012

Islam has two major holidays, Eid al-Fitr (Post-Fasting Festival) and Eid al-Adha. Many Muslims in the United States observe Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, each year. This festival commemorates Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son to God. This festival also marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Donald W. Reid 2012

Quick Facts Eid al-Adha is an Islamic festival to mark Ibrahim's willingness to follow Allah's command to sacrifice his son. It is celebrated around the 10th to 13th days of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah.

Donald W. Reid 2012

The word Eid itself is an Arabic word, whose root connotation is ‘that which comes back, time after time, and rejoicing.’ Its particular usage in Islam, for the two major holidays, is because these two days are meant to be days of rejoicing.

Donald W. Reid 2012

Eid al-Adha 2012 Friday, October 26, 2012

Note: Regional customs or moon sightings may cause a variation of the date for Islamic holidays, which begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday. The Islamic calendar is lunar and the days begin at sunset, so there may be one-day error depending on when the New Moon is first seen.

Donald W. Reid 2012

What do people do? Many Muslims in the United States celebrate Eid al-Adha with prayers and social gatherings. The Eid al-Adha services can attract thousands of Muslims in various places such as Chicago (Illinois) and Orlando (Florida). Many Muslims of many heritages, including North Africa, Pakistan, Eastern Europe, wear traditional clothes and share their national dishes. It is a time for prayer, sharing meals, handing out gifts and wishing one another well.

Donald W. Reid 2012

Eid al-Adha follows from the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, in which Muslims are required to make at least once in their lives. Eid al-Adha is also known as the Feast of Sacrifice because it traditionally includes the sacrifice of an animal permitted for food (eg. a lamb) as an act of thanksgiving for God’s mercy, this food is then distributed to friends, family and neighbors.

Donald W. Reid 2012

Some Muslims seek out a farm where they can carry out the sacrifice, but many also send money to their native lands to help fund a sacrifice. Eid al-Adha lasts for up to three days and is a time to seek mercy from God.

Donald W. Reid 2012

Public life Eid al-Adha is not a federal public holiday in the United States. However, some Islamic organizations may be closed or offer a reduced level of service and there may be some local traffic congestion around mosques.

Donald W. Reid 2012

Background Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice or Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates accomplishment as well as a reminder of when Ibrahim (Abraham) was willing to sacrifice his son to God, according to Islamic belief. The United States government issued postage stamps to commemorate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in previous years. These stamps aimed to highlight the business, educational and social contributions that Muslims made in the United States.

Donald W. Reid 2012

Sharing a meal during Eid al-Adha or providing to charities during Eid al-Adha is a good time for Law Enforcement to introduce themselves and become more familiar with those in their local Muslim communities.