By Amanda Moses
We are in the midst of one of the most sacred Islamic celebrations, Eid al-Adha, which is the second main holy celebration alongside Eid al-Fitr. While on March 29th Muslims around the world celebrated the end of their religious fasting with Eid al-Fitr, on June 16th they will pray and decorate their homes for Eid al-Adha
Traditionally, Muslims fast (abstaining from food, intercourse, and smoking) from sunup to sundown during Ramadan in reverence to the Quran being revealed to the prophet Mohammed. It is said that Eid al-Fitr begins when the new moon occurs (so this holiday actually begins on different days and times depending on your location). Many of the Islamic holidays are based on the lunar cycle, while other religious holidays follow the Gregorian calendar (based on the solar cycle).
For Eid al-Adha it is a time for Muslims to don their very best clothing, clean and decorate their homes and great each other with hugs and say, “Eid Mubarak,” which means “blessed Eid.” This holiday is a symbol of having good will onto each other and unity.
Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice, is a holiday that commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah. This celebration has been deemed the greater Eid, while Eid al-Fitr is the lesser Eid.
