Guwahati: Millions of Muslims across India and the world are celebrating Eid al-Adha or Bakra-Eid– one of the biggest holidays of the Islamic calendar- on Sunday. Known as the “Feast of Sacrifice”, the revered observance coincides with the final rites of the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Devotees across the country offered namaz at Mosques on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.
Many devotees from Guwahati, Assam made their way to the Sijubari Eidgah mosque and celebrated the holy day.
Sharaffudin, the Imam at Sijubari Eidgah, told the media, “I have been the imam of this mosque for the past 25 years. We have all assembled here to offer prayers of Eid-Al-Adha. We were about to offer prayers outside the mosque but due to the uncertainty of the weather, we had to do it inside”.
He further said, “We are following the path of our Prophet Mohammad. He always thought of good for others and the betterment of others’ well-being.
Another devotee Arshad Hussain said, “Today is a very important day for the Muslims as it is ‘festival of sacrifice’. I would pray for the pilgrims who are on Hajj so that their journey is completed without any obstacles and also for the Hindu pilgrims who are on Amarnath Yatra to come back safely. Lastly, I would like to pray to God for the victims of the Ukraine-Russia war.
Eid al-Adha or Bakra Eid, which is being observed on July 10 this year, is a holy occasion also called the ‘festival of sacrifice’ and is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic or lunar calendar. It marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Eid al-Adha is an occasion of joy and peace, where people celebrate with their families, let go of past grudges and make meaningful connections with one another. It is celebrated as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice everything for God.
The history of this occasion traces back to 4,000 years ago when Allah appeared in Prophet Abraham’s dream asking him to sacrifice what he loved the most.
As per the legends, the Prophet was about to sacrifice his son Isaac when an angel appeared and stopped him from doing so. He was told that God was convinced of his love for him and hence was allowed to make something else as a ‘great sacrifice’.
The same story appears in the Bible and is familiar to Jews and Christians. One key difference is that Muslims believe the son was Ishmael rather than Isaac as told in the Old Testament. In Islam, Ishmael is regarded as a prophet and an ancestor of Muhammad.
To mark this occasion, Muslims re-enact Ibrahim’s obedience with the symbolic sacrifice of a lamb, goat, cow, camel, or another animal that is then divided into threes to be shared equally among family, friends and the needy.
Around the world, Eid traditions and festivities vary and different countries have unique cultural approaches to this important festival. In India, Muslims wear new clothes and attend open-air prayer meetings. They may sacrifice a sheep or goat and share the meat with family members, neighbours, and the poor.
