The biggest festival in the Muslim world, Eid-Al-Adha, also known as the Greater Eid is a Festival of Sacrifice. As Muslims around the world gear up to celebrate, let’s look at some of the lesser-known facts about Eid-Al Adha
Last month of the Islamic Calendar
Eid-Al Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of the last month of the Islamic Calendar. Since their calendar is based on the lunar cycle, the date of Eid-Al-Adha often shifts by 11 days earlier every year in the Gregorian calendar.
The end of Hajj
Eid al-Adha takes place at the end of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage, where Muslims from around the world visit Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam.
A different route
Here is a peculiar tradition that is followed on Eid Al Adha. On the first day of the festival, Muslims visit local mosques to offer the morning prayers. However, while returning home from the prayers, they must take a different route to go back home.
Eid Wishes
‘Eid Mubarak’ or ‘Blessed Eid’ is the most common Eid greeting, “Kul ’am wa inta bekhair,” or “May every year see you in good health,” is also used to wish people.
Eid Celebrations
Muslims dress up in new clothes, prepare feasts for family and friends, and meet their friends and family to celebrate this festival. They often exchange gifts and children receive money from their elders.
Eid Al Adha is a day to remember the spirit of sacrifice. It teaches us the importance of giving and the importance of letting go of materialistic things.
Eid Mubarak!
