Published: 02:18 AM, 15 June 2024
Observance of Eid Ul Azha in Major Muslim Countries
Rifat Rafique Badhan
Eid Ul Azha is the largest religious festival for Muslims all over the world. Eid Ul Azha is also known as “Feast of Sacrifice” because pious Muslims slaughter cows, goats, sheep, bulls and camels on this sacred occasion for the satisfaction of Allah Almighty. There is a religious story behind the advent of Eid Ul Azha which is described in the Holy Quran. Even Muslims in non-Muslim countries also observe Eid Ul Azha in a befitting manner. Muslims offer Eid prayers early in the morning on the Eid day and after the prayer they embrace each other as a token of fraternity and love. The meat obtained from the sacrificed animals is distributed among relatives, neighbours and destitute people. Muslims also cook delicious food items with this meat at home for lunch and dinner. While Eid Ul Fitr is celebrated on one day only, the observance of Eid Ul Azha goes on for three days. Cattle traders do brisk business ahead of Eid Ul Azha as thousands of Muslims throng cattle markets to buy sacrificial animals. This article narrates in short details the way Eid Ul Azha is observed in some major Muslim countries.
Saudi Arabia
Eid Ul-Azha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is a major holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide for three to four days. Most Muslims will attend the special prayers held at major mosques and Islamic centers throughout the world. Muslims usually wear new clothes and some exchange gifts. Children take a day off from school (including college students), and many adults do not go to work. When asked about the origin of Eid Ul Azha, The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, is reported to have said, “It is a tradition that has come down to us from Ibrahim.” The Feast of Sacrifice originates from the historic event when Prophet Ibrahim was commanded by God in a dream vision to sacrifice his son, Ishmail. While he was in the act of sacrificing his son, God sent the Angel Gabriel with a huge ram. Gabriel informed Abraham that his dream vision was fulfilled and instructed him to sacrifice the ram as a ransom for his son. The story is mentioned in Chapter #37 of the Holy Qur'an. Eid Ul-Azha enjoys special significance because the Day of Sacrifice marks the climax of Hajj or Pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam. This annual pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia is an obligation only for those men and women who are physically and financially able to perform it once in their lifetime.
UAE
Being a Muslim state, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also observes a public holiday on Eid Ul Azha of about 3-4 days. Muslims in the UAE visit communal prayer grounds or ‘Eidgahs’ where prayers and a sermon are held. After wishing each other ‘Eid Mubarak’, people dress up in their festive best and share sweet treats with their neighbours while giving ‘Eidi’ to the younger members of the family. While people can slaughter animals in their own home in the UAE, provided they clean up after themselves, the government authorities stress on the importance of sacrificing the animals properly to avoid diseases and urge people to register their sacrifices in public slaughterhouses where the livestock will be checked for diseases, and the authorities will ensure proper transportation of the meat.
Saudi Arabia
Eid Ul-Azha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is a major holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide for three to four days. Most Muslims will attend the special prayers held at major mosques and Islamic centers throughout the world. Muslims usually wear new clothes and some exchange gifts. Children take a day off from school (including college students), and many adults do not go to work. When asked about the origin of Eid Ul Azha, The Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, is reported to have said, “It is a tradition that has come down to us from Ibrahim.” The Feast of Sacrifice originates from the historic event when Prophet Ibrahim was commanded by God in a dream vision to sacrifice his son, Ishmail. While he was in the act of sacrificing his son, God sent the Angel Gabriel with a huge ram. Gabriel informed Abraham that his dream vision was fulfilled and instructed him to sacrifice the ram as a ransom for his son. The story is mentioned in Chapter #37 of the Holy Qur'an. Eid Ul-Azha enjoys special significance because the Day of Sacrifice marks the climax of Hajj or Pilgrimage, the fifth pillar of Islam. This annual pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia is an obligation only for those men and women who are physically and financially able to perform it once in their lifetime.
UAE
Being a Muslim state, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also observes a public holiday on Eid Ul Azha of about 3-4 days. Muslims in the UAE visit communal prayer grounds or ‘Eidgahs’ where prayers and a sermon are held. After wishing each other ‘Eid Mubarak’, people dress up in their festive best and share sweet treats with their neighbours while giving ‘Eidi’ to the younger members of the family. While people can slaughter animals in their own home in the UAE, provided they clean up after themselves, the government authorities stress on the importance of sacrificing the animals properly to avoid diseases and urge people to register their sacrifices in public slaughterhouses where the livestock will be checked for diseases, and the authorities will ensure proper transportation of the meat.
Iran
When we consider celebrations for Eid Ul Azha around the world, we must talk about our neighbour, Iran, where Eid Ul Azha is celebrated in a style that is similar to the UAE, where communal slaughterhouses are used for animal sacrifices, and people go for Eid prayers in the morning before heading to the slaughterhouse to collect the meat. They then dress in their finest attire and celebrate with a feast of mutton or beef with their loved ones. Eid Ul Azha is a public holiday in the country.
Turkey
When the day of the Sacrificial Feast rolls around, men of the family will generally head for prayers in the morning, returning to sacrifice an animal (usually sheep) in the name of Allah. It is illegal in Turkey to sacrifice animals anywhere other than the authorized abattoirs/slaughterhouses, most of which are built on the outskirts of larger cities. However, while the Turkish people are just as eager to visit family and friends to spend the holiday with them, many will skip on sacrificing animals, opting to donate that same money to charity instead, which is an option that is permissible in the country.
Indonesia
Celebrations for Eid Ul Azha in Indonesia might remind you of Pakistan if you choose to visit it during the season because like our own country, people purchase sacrificial animals and they are sacrificed right on the streets after the Eid prayers have been offered. Much like Pakistan, the sacrifice is a communal event with neighbours, family, and friends all gathering to watch the proceedings and help out as needed.
Rifat Rafique Badhan is a freelancer
and a columnist.
When we consider celebrations for Eid Ul Azha around the world, we must talk about our neighbour, Iran, where Eid Ul Azha is celebrated in a style that is similar to the UAE, where communal slaughterhouses are used for animal sacrifices, and people go for Eid prayers in the morning before heading to the slaughterhouse to collect the meat. They then dress in their finest attire and celebrate with a feast of mutton or beef with their loved ones. Eid Ul Azha is a public holiday in the country.
Turkey
When the day of the Sacrificial Feast rolls around, men of the family will generally head for prayers in the morning, returning to sacrifice an animal (usually sheep) in the name of Allah. It is illegal in Turkey to sacrifice animals anywhere other than the authorized abattoirs/slaughterhouses, most of which are built on the outskirts of larger cities. However, while the Turkish people are just as eager to visit family and friends to spend the holiday with them, many will skip on sacrificing animals, opting to donate that same money to charity instead, which is an option that is permissible in the country.
Indonesia
Celebrations for Eid Ul Azha in Indonesia might remind you of Pakistan if you choose to visit it during the season because like our own country, people purchase sacrificial animals and they are sacrificed right on the streets after the Eid prayers have been offered. Much like Pakistan, the sacrifice is a communal event with neighbours, family, and friends all gathering to watch the proceedings and help out as needed.
Rifat Rafique Badhan is a freelancer
and a columnist.
