Eid, Muslim religious holiday facts and traditions

Mecca, Oct 27: Eid al-Adha a Muslim religious holiday which coincides with the Hajj, or the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Every year nearly two million Muslims visit Mecca on a religious pilgrimage. Eid al-Adha starts on Friday Oct. 26 this year and the holiday is a commemoration of when God appeared to Abraham, which is known as Ibrahim to Muslims in a dream. Ibrahim asked him to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience. As Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, God stopped him and gave him a sheep to kill in place of his son. During Eid al-Adha some Muslim families may sacrifice sheep and share the meat with the poor and they also often donate to charities during this time. They normally have a celebratory dinner as well with the meet from the sacrificed sheep.Eid Mubarack and Eid Saeed are two common phrases used during this time. The festival starts on the 10th day of the last day on the Islamic calender. The pilgramage to Mecca, which is Muhammad's birthplace, is one that is extremely sacred and one that Muslims typically make at least once in their lifetimes. In order to comprehend and understand this day, here are the top 10 facts about Eid al-Adha.1. Travel to Mecca All Muslims around the world are making an effort to visit Mecca, and join millions of their brothers and sisters to commemorate the Sacrifice of Festival or Abraham willingness and faith to offer his very own son to God. Hence, an annual pilgrimage is being held and followed which is held in Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Everyone makes an effort if their time and financial resources permit to participate and give respect to this very sacred festive. Different Muslims in different countries across the globe are travelling not just to see the Mecca, but to be united in this yearly celebration. This is the culminating part of their Jewish traditions that everyone religiously observes and keeps.2. Meat Sacrifice Since it's all about the sacrifice made by Abraham, Muslim people in different parts of the world also offer an animal sacrifice which literally done by people under the Mosaic Law. Canonically, sheep is the closest thing that they can give since it's an example in most of the scriptural account which was set early on. Nonetheless, today, there are different animals that they can sacrifice like lamb and goat in order to reciprocate the sacrifice for Ibrahim. The meat of these animals will be shared together by members of the family, within the community, and even those tourists who are curious about this tradition are welcome to join the feast by eating this meat of sacrifice. This is the same reason why lambs and other similar animals that can be offered that day are sold in hefty amount, and it's really in demand in the market since it's a universal celebration to all Muslims. 3. Recitation of Tusmiya It's part of the tradition before sacrificing specific animal which is required by their law that they recite tusmiya in order to keep it in good health and meeting specific age. Part of this ritual when recitation is done, that the Islamic Standards are met especially the meat that will be offered as part of the highlight of the offering which must be considered or qualified as halal. There are specific incisions and cut that must be followed, and not just do it your way, and these parts are neck, jugular veins, and lastly the carotid arteries. 4. 2 to 4 days Celebration Generally speaking the celebration of Eid al-Adha takes between 2 to 4 days, and it also varies based on locations in the world. It is true that there are series of events, and activities that being done including rituals and ceremonies since day 1, since this is one event that unite the Islam believers in whichever countries they reside. Nonetheless, the standard days that it's being observed is two days which represents the new moon is born which signifies day one of celebration and the young crescent only if visible. 5. Eid al-Adha Begins on the 12th month Under the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Adha is being commemorated every 10th, 11th, and 12th day which falls automatically on the 12th month under the Islamic month known as Dhu al-Hijjah which is actually part of the Islamic or Lunar Calendar. It will only be observed after the pilgrimage in Mecca has been done by Muslims all over the world. Hence, there are different rituals that they also observe until they arrive at the last sunset of Dhu al-Hijjah on the 12th day. Dhu al-Hijjah is actually the 12th month under the Islamic Calendar which also means it's the end of the year, which is also the same month where pilgrimage takes place. This month also means Possessor of the Pilgrimage where people are invited to prepare to really pay a visit to Mecca, and be part of the worldwide celebration.6. Practices According to Sunnah All the activities and rituals being done by Muslims across the globe are all based on what Sunnah has set which they believed are rules given by their beloved Prophet Muhammad. Some of the things that they do at the start of the first day of the celebration is for them to wake-up early in the morning and the closing of the dawn offer a prayer called Salat ul-Fajr. Prior to their attendance to special congregations where Salaat al-Eid prayer will be done, they have to do the basic hygiene and they have to put on perfume to their body. Included on this are their charitable works, recitation of takbir and other things which are in harmony on what can be read on Sunnah. 7. Thanksgiving Day It might be a day of sacrifice, but it's also a joyous day for all Muslims because they can be with their families, and others of their faith within the community. In fact, it is indeed a Thanksgiving Day version for them where they make a spiritual reflection on the first day prior on the second day or the day of celebration itself. It's a very special day where they can express their gratitude on blessings that come to their life, strength that they receive, and good health. It's spiritual reaffirm as well through fasting and numbers of personal and congregational prayers. This day is also called as feasting day where they prepare food especially sweet delicacies, give gifts to each other, decorating homes, wearing of new clothes, and gathering as families and friends at home where they can share the food that they have prepared. 8. Countries that Celebrate Eid al-Adha Just like any other religions in the world, there are also other members in some countries who also preserve, observes, and keeps the celebration of Eid al-Adha. Just for the information of everyone, it is an Islamic holiday that tells that Ramadan or fasting month has ended. Nonetheless, there are different countries that celebrate this day in different ways, but also observe the traditional rules and customs across the globe that Islam has set. In the continent of Africa, it's being observed mainly in Egypt, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, and Tunisia. Hence, in the continent of Asia, it's widely observed in Afghanistan, Burma/Myanmar, China, The Indian Subcontinent, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South-East Asia, and Turkey. Each country has set days where they observe it, wherein the one of the longest celebrations are done in Tunisia that runs up to 4 days. 9. Regional Customs It is also known as moon sightings which actually differ on the locations of the Islamic members. In fact, it could only be included in their celebration only after a declaration has been made by the moon-sighting committee that they have indeed seen a new moon. This committee is found residing in Saudi Arabia and they are part of the Saudi Judicial Council. In fact, one of a great instance that moon was not sighted happened on November 2008. Nonetheless, there is also limitation which also depends on the country or location. It does not mean that if the moon is not seen in Saudi Arabia that this regional custom will not be observed. If its sightable in Australia, then it could be done. 10. Another Names of Eid al-Adha It is also known in other names like Eid al-Kabir or Eid al-Qurban, in India, it's called as Id-ul-Zuha or Bakri-ld. It has different translation as well in different languages since Eid al-Adha is actually an Arabic word while in Tajik Persian it's translated as Idi Qurbon, in Kazakh Qurban ayt, in Uyghur Qurban Heyit and Id ul-Kabir as another term in Saudi Arabia. In French Beig Eid, in Tamil Peru Nal, in Pashto Loy Akhtar and of course the most popular term of it is the Festival of Sacrifice which is being used by all Muslims all over the world.