Eid Mubarak (عيد مبارك)!

Todays is Eid ul Adha (عيد الأضحى), or the feast of sacrifice. Muslims celebrate this feast by slaughtering a sheep. The aim of this is to remember the story of Prophet Abraham (إبراهيم) who was willing to slaughter his own son in submission to God’s orders, but then God sent him a ram to sacrifice and save his son.

The sheep that people slaughter is divided into three equal parts. One third is for the family (الأسرة); one third is to be given as presents for the family and friends (الأقارب والأصدقاء); and one third is to be given to the poor (الفقراء).

Eid u Adha also coincides with the end of  the Islamic pilgrimage (الحج).

One day after pilgrims stand on the Mount of Arafat (جبل عرفات).

On the day of the Eid, every pilgrim must also slaughter a sheep as part of the Hajj ceremony.

Eid ul Adha is also celebrated by a special morning prayer (صلاة العيد). Then, families who planned to slaughter a sheep do so, and then visit friends and family members and exchange presents and greetings!

Many families eat Fetta (الفتة) on the first day of the feast. We are having fetta today as well!

Eid Mubarak!