Eid al-Fitr, or Ramadan Eid, is a significant festival in Islam that marks the end of the sacred month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, recite the Holy Quran, and offer prayers to Allah. On the other hand, Eid ul-Adha, also known as Bakra Eid, Bakrid, Eid al-Adha, Eid Qurban, or Qurban Bayarami, is the second major Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s absolute dedication to Allah. The festival is celebrated in the month of Dhul Hijjah, which is the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of the Dhul Hijjah month, and the celebration date varies from country to country based on the sighting of the crescent moon to mark the onset of the month. In 2024, Saudi Arabia confirmed the sighting of the crescent Dhul Hijjah moon on June 6th and announced the celebration of Eid al-Adha on Sunday, July 16th. Other countries like UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Canada, the United Kingdom, the USA, and other Western nations will also mark the celebration on the same day. However, in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, other South Asian countries, and South Africa, Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated a day later on June 17th.
The history of Eid-ul-Adha dates back to Prophet Ibrahim, who had a recurring dream of sacrificing his beloved son, Ismael, to fulfill God’s wishes. Upon discussing the dream with his son, Ismael agreed to the sacrifice, demonstrating their devotion to Allah. Despite being tempted by Shaitan, Ibrahim remained steadfast in his commitment to Allah. Ultimately, Allah sent the Archangel Jibreel with a sheep to be sacrificed in place of Ismael, symbolizing Ibrahim’s unwavering faith.
Eid al-Adha is a celebration of Ibrahim and Ismael’s love for Allah, emphasizing the willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good. Muslims worldwide commemorate this by sacrificing a goat or sheep, following the example set by Ibrahim and Ismael. The meat from the sacrifice is then distributed in three equal parts to feed the family, relatives, and the poor and needy.
On the day of Eid-ul-Adha, Muslims gather at mosques to offer prayers and listen to a sermon by the Imam. The festival is marked by sacrificing animals, sharing meals with loved ones, giving charity to the less fortunate, and applying mehndi designs. Traditional Bakrid feast dishes include mutton biryani, mutton korma, mutton keema, and desserts like sheer khurma and kheer. The celebrations serve as a reminder of the importance of self-sacrifice and gratitude towards Allah.