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 Eid-ul-Azha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice is one of the major festivals of the Muslims. This religious festival is observed by the Muslims and Druze all over the world with great devotion and sanctity. Eid-ul-Azha commemorates the occasion of Ibrahim’s (Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to Allah. But just before the sacrifice of his son, Allah intruded and provided a lamb to Ibrahim as a sacrifice. Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated to pay respect to this act of devotion to Allah by Ibrahim.
To celebrate this festival, also known as Eid ul- Adha, till date Muslims sacrifice an animal as an act of obedience to Allah on this day. People devote this day to commemorate the event of obedience and sacrifice and pay homage to Allah. After the sacrificial act, people distribute the meat of the animals to their friends, relatives and poor people of the Muslim community.
Eid-ul-Azha or the festival of sacrifice by the Muslims is one of the two Eid festivals celebrated by the Muslims all over the world. The festival begins with a short prayer in the name of Allah like any other Muslim festivals. Lines from Quran are quoted to mark the auspiciousness of the day.
Counted as one of the major festivals of India, it falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja according to the lunar Islamic calendar. The festivity of the Eid-ul-Azha continues for two to three days, depending on the country, which is celebrating it. It is observed the day after the pilgrims come back from their annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
The festival is known by many names in various parts of the world. It is known as Eid el-Kibiinitiopr in Morocco, Algeria, Syria, Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and Libya; Tabaski or Tobaski in West Africa; Tabaski or Tobaski in West Africa; Bari Eid in India and Pakistan; Id-ul-Azha in Bangladesh; Bakra Eid in South Africa; Kurban Bayrami in Turkey; Eyd e Qorbán in Iran and Afghanistan and others.
Various rituals are observed on this day so as to make this day a successful one. People put on their best clothes and prepare for the day. Then they head towards the mosque to offer their prayers. They sacrifice their best domestic animals to commemorate the sacrifice of Ibrahim. The sacrificial beast should also conform to various norms. After the sacrifice the meats are distributed. People visit their relatives and friends in the evening.
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