Eid al Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)

Eid al-Adha or Feast of Sacrifice is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar and commences at the end of Hajj which is the annual Pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Adha lasts for three days and marks Abraham's willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son. Muslims believe the son to be Ishmael rather than Isaac as told in the Old Testament. Ishmael is considered the forefather of the Arabs. According to the Koran, Abraham was about to sacrifice his son when a voice from heaven stopped him and allowed him to sacrifice a nearby ram instead. The feast is a reminder of Abraham's trials and his obedience and is re-enacted by sacrificing a cow, camel or ram. The family eats a portion of the meal and donates the rest to the poor to ensure everyone has a chance to participate in the festival. Eid el-Adha feast dates depend on the Islamic lunar calendar. If you are in Cairo during this festival you will witness the slaughtering of the animals, traditional prayers and large family gatherings surrounding the feast..

Links

• Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_ul-Adha