Eid-ul-Zuha

Eid will be celebrated in India on the 8th of April. Following the day of Hajj or Pilgrimage (9th of Thw al-Hijjah), comes the Eid-ul Adha day. It begins from the 10th of the 12th month of Islamic lunar calendar. This is the main annual festival of Islam.

                               The Holy Makkah

On this day, like on the Eid-ul Fitr celebration, festivities begin with a prayer service held in an open place in the morning. This prayer is usually attended by a large number of muslims. Since this festival occurs immediately after the Day of Pilgrimage (Hajj), those who go to the pilgrimage celebrate it in Mina, near Makkah. Other muslims around the world also join with the pilgrims in their joy and thanksgiving.

One significance of Eid-ul Adha is that it is a time of sacrifice. Muslims commemorate Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice everything for Allah including his beloved son, Ismael. Since Allah gave Prophet Abraham a lamb to sacrifice instead of sacrificing his son, muslims also offer the sacrifice of a lamb. The sacrifice can be done after the prayer on the 10th to the 12th day of Thw-al-Hijjah month before sunset. The meat of sacrificed lambs is given to the needy people and friends and a portion of it is also kept for one's own consumption. People often cook this meat during holidays, prepare feasts and enjoy the celebration.

Eid is also a day on which muslims remember the deceased, visit the sick, see relatives and friends, overlook grudges, help the needy and in general show kindness and generosity to all those that they know. It is also a day for rejoicing and celebrating by getting involved in a good, clean and halal enjoyment.