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How different countries celebrate Eid al-Adha?

SHAFAQNA – Eid al-Adha, also known as “Feast of Sacrifice” or “Big Eid”, is an Islamic religious festival to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to follow God’s command to sacrifice his son. Muslims around the world observe this event.

This report shows how different countries celebrate Eid al-Adha.

Iran

Iranian Muslims dress smartly and attend Eid prayers, Namaz Eid, at local mosques and on open grounds. Religious readings will be read all over the country.

In remembrance of this event, cattle, camels, sheep and other livestock are killed and the meat is given out to the poor, family and friends as gifts. The portions are split equally between the different sets of people. This is carried out as an act of sacrifice to show gratitude of the blessings given by Allah. Anyone who watches the animal slaughterings is asked to make donations to charities to help those in need to buy new clothes and food.

Eid al-Adha is known as the ‘salty Eid’ for food, as a larger variety of its dishes are savoury and formed of beef or mutton, depending on what animal has been slaughtered. The meat is used to make various kebabs and haleem, a stew made of wheat or barley and meat. Alongside the meat dishes, Iranians eat baghali, rice with fava, broad beans and dill.

UAE

To begin with, the day that Eid-Al-Adha will fall on can be determined on the moon cycle sighting up to ten days before hand, falling on the 10th day of the Islamic month – Dhul Hijjah, unlike Eid-ul-Fitr which is based on sighting the moon the night before. This gives the family much more time to prepare for the festivities, and there is no last minute dash to the supermarket to buy the milk for your Doodh Khurmo. Every year the UAE government grants a public holiday of at least three days, the most important one being the day before Eid-Al-Adha, called Day of Arafat.

For Muslims not taking part in Hajj, they can still reap the rewards by fasting on the Day of Arafat as it is believed that fasting on this auspicious day “absolves the sins of two years, the previous year and the coming year”, which is a great opportunity for Muslims.

Eid-Al-Adha begins with the Eid Prayer on the grounds of Eidgah, and as they congratulate each other with hugs and saying “Eid Mubarak”. After that the three day feast begins, with food and “Eidi” gifts galore. Children often dress up in their best clothes and offer Eid biscuits around the neighbourhood. They celebrate by decorating their homes with Eid banners and carry on the tradition of gifting “Eidi” to the younger family members. This is followed by long distance phone calls, as well as Skype calls, to family members and an enormous breakfast including delicacies such as Doodh Khurmo, also known as Sheer Khurmo.

Having adorned their hands with mhendi the night before to get in the festive spirit and after a grand Eid lunch at home, they all dress up in their best clothes to spend quality time as a family, either at another family member’s home or out and about in the shopping malls or latest attraction in the UAE. In the Eid season, the UAE has plenty of offers and great deals available to take advantage of, and it is quite common for families to enjoy the Eid holiday at a local resort over the course of the holidays or simply enjoy dinner at a lavish new restaurant.

Whichever way UAE people may be spending Eid-Al-Adha, the notion of sacrifice and charity is at the forefront of their thoughts. The celebrations are a great reminder of the blessings they have in their lives and a chance to give back to those that would benefit more from their actions.

Canada

Eid al-Adha is celebrated in Muslim communities throughout Canada around the 10th to the 13th days of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah (or Dhul Hijja). It is a time marked by special prayers and many Muslims gather for special prayer services. Many people also visit family and friends, exchange greetings and gifts, and make donations to the poor and needy. Eid al-Adha is also a time for forgiveness and compassion.

The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) holds Eid festivals to celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The Eid Festivals offer celebrations including a carnival of fun rides, shows, sport tournaments and various international cuisines. Thousands of people, including key leaders, often attend these events. Some politicians publicly announce their best wishes to those celebrating Eid al-Adha. Festivities can last for up to a few days. Some Muslims in Canada may travel to Mecca prior to Eid al-Adha to make this pilgrimage.

Eid al-Adha is not a nationwide public holiday in Canada. However, some Islamic organizations may be closed or offer a reduced level of service and there may be some local traffic congestion around mosques and venues where Eid al-Adha celebrations are held.

India

Eid al-Adha is called Id-ul-Adha in Arabic and Bakr-Id in the Indian subcontinent, because of the tradition of sacrificing a goat or “bakri” in Urdu. The word “id” derived from the Arabic “iwd” means “festival” and “zuha” comes from “uzhaiyya” which translates to “sacrifice”.

Id-ul-Zuha is a festival that is celebrated with traditional fervor and gaiety in India and the world. Many Muslims wear new clothes and attend an open-air prayer meeting during Id-ul-Zuha. They may sacrifice a sheep or goat and share the meat with family members, neighbors and the poor. Many Muslims feel that they have a duty to ensure that all Muslims can enjoy a meat based meal during this holiday.

Turkey

The Sacrifice Feast is one of the oldest Islamic holidays in Turkey. According to old belief it is unlucky to get married or start a new business in the period between these two holidays.

Traditionally, on the first day of the Sacrifice Feast in Turkey, men of each family go to a mosque for a special morning prayer. Then the sacrifice ritual begins. In some regions in Turkey, people paint the sacrificial animal with henna and adorn it with ribbons. The butcher reads a prayer before slaughtering the animal. Families share about two-thirds of the animal’s meat with relatives and neighbors, and they traditionally give about one-third to the poor.

In recent years, some Turkish people started making donations to charity organizations instead of sacrificing animals. Many people in Turkey take special care to help the poor during the Sacrifice Feast.

People usually wear their best clothes during the Sacrifice Feast. They welcome guests to their homes or visit relatives or friends during the holiday. Many people in Turkey reserve the first day of the feast for visiting their closest relatives. Young people greet their older relatives and neighbors by kissing their hand as a sign of respect. Some people in Turkey may use the four-day holiday to go on a vacation.

The common symbols of the Sacrifice Feast in Turkey are a ram (or a sheep) and a mosque.

Pakistan

In Pakistan, Eid ul-Adha is a four-day event celebrated every year on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of “Dhul Hajji”. The festive days witness most local business houses and shops being closed. The occasion begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon. Every Pakistani who can afford it, sacrifice an animal in honour of the Almighty, distributing its meat to friends, family and the poor.

Bangladesh

Here Eid-ul Adha (‘Id-ul Adha) is also known as “Kurbanir Eid” or “Bakri Eid”. The occassion is observed here as both a religious and a festal one. Almost a month before the festival, preparations for Eid-ul Adha begins in earnest and each day leading to the occassion has local sweet shops, gift centres and cloth stores readying themselves with stuff lapped up by millions across the country. “Qurbani” or animal sacrifice is considered here by many as a “sunnah” (an obligatory religious performance). The animals picked to be slaughtered must be of a particular age and should not have any impairment, or the sacrifice is to be considered an imperfect one. While cows, goats and buffaloes are generally chosen for the rite, camels are also specially imported by some Bangladeshis for this purpose. The time of sacrifice begins right after the “namaz” (prayer ceremony) of the first day of Eid-ul Adha and continues up to the sunset of the next two/three days.

Morocco

Eid-ul-Adha is  known in Morocco as ”Eid el-Kbir”. The Moroccan celebration of Eid-ul-Adha is similar to its observances in other countries. As in elsewhere, animal sacrifices are carried out in Morocco as a dedication to the Lord. Generally a cow, sheep or a ram is slaughtered and its meat is then distributed among the poor people. The festive days have people visiting their nearest mosques for prayer services and sermons, following which people visit each other’s homes and relish festive meals together.

Egypt

In Egypt, “Eid ul-Adha” has a greater significance than “Eid ul Fitr”. Eid Ul Adha is better known as Eid el-Kibr in Egypt. The festival marks Prophet Ibraham’s sacrifice of his son Ishmael before God. Pleased with this sacrifice, God replaced Abraham’s son with a sheep and made the boy alive again. Apart from being a commemoration of this legendary incident, “Eid ul-Adha” also marks the end of the Hajj (the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca) and thus, great importance is attached to the occassion. Referred to as “Eid el-Kbir” here, the festival is annually observed during the auspicious Islamic month of “Dhul Hijja”.

During the days of the celebration, Muslims across the country wake up and head to their local mosques for their “salah” (prayer). This is followed by a sermon after which, people meet up with their friends and dear ones and wish each other “kol sana wa inta tayeb”. Roughly translated, this means “I hope every year finds you well”. Feasts are a highly anticipated aspect of Eid ul-Adha, as of Eid ul Fitr. All over the country, poor people look forward to this occassion as this is a time they can beef and mutton, freely provided to them by the wealthy and also by various charitable organizations.

UK

On Eid ul-Adha, Muslims in the UK usually start the day by performing ghusl, a full-body purification ritual. They then dress in their finest outfits and attend a prayer service at an outdoor prayer ground or the local mosque. Afterward, it is customary to embrace and wish each other Eid Mubarak, which translates as “have a blessed Eid,” give gifts to children, and visit friends and relatives.

One of the central rituals on Eid al-Adha is qurbani, the act of sacrificing a sheep, goat, or cow. According to Islamic rules, the animal must be an adult and in good health, while British law mandates that the animal must be killed in an official slaughterhouse. The meat is then divided between family, friends, and the poor. Other Muslims give money to charity to give poorer families the chance to have a proper Eid feast. Mosques or other groups may arrange communal meals.

Eid ul-Adha has a celebratory character, and the day may be rounded off by visiting funfairs or festivals held for the occasion in some British cities.

Initiatives to improve the quality of life or opportunities in Muslim communities around the United Kingdom may be launched on Eid ul-Adha. Some mosques also hold study days or lectures on aspects of Islam and Islamic history.

USA

Many Muslims in the United States celebrate Eid al-Adha with prayers and social gatherings. The Eid al-Adha services can attract thousands of Muslims in various places such as Chicago (Illinois) and Orlando (Florida). Many Muslims of many heritages, including Pakistan, as well as Eastern European and African countries, wear traditional clothes and share their national dishes. It is a time for prayer, sharing meals, handing out gifts and wishing one another well.

Some Muslims seek out a farm where they can carry out the sacrifice, but many also send money to their native lands to help fund a sacrifice. Eid al-Adha lasts for up to three days and is a time to seek mercy from God.

Tunisia

Eid al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice, is a public holiday in Tunisia as in other predominantly Muslim countries.

In Tunisia, mostly men go to mosque early on Eid morning to pray and hear a sermon, while women stay home and prepare for the feast and festivities. When the men return home, it’s time to sacrifice a sheep, goat, or other animal for the feast. A third of the meat is kept by the family, a third given to relatives, and a third given to the poor.

Also, people bake special Eid biscuits to give as gifts on this day, and children are often given presents of cookies and other sweets.

 

Date of Eid al Adha 2018 in different countries:

Sunday 19 August 2018

Country Known as Comments
Kuwait Kuwait Eid Al-Adha Holiday
Maldives Maldives Eid-ul Al’haa Holiday Sacrifice Feast
Oman Oman Eid Al-Adha Holiday
Qatar Qatar Eid Al Adha Holiday Public sector and banks
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Eid Al Adha Holiday Public sector and banking and insurance sectors
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Eid Al Adha Holiday Public sector

Monday 20 August 2018

Country Known as Comments
Afghanistan Afghanistan Day of Arafa
Egypt Egypt Arafat Day
Jordan Jordan Eid Al-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle
Kuwait Kuwait Arafat Day
Maldives Maldives Eid-ul Al’haa Holiday Sacrifice Feast
Oman Oman Arafat Day Haj Day
Qatar Qatar Eid Al Adha Holiday Public sector and banks
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Eid Al Adha Holiday Date to be confirmed. Arafat (Haj) Day
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Arafat (Haj) Day Day of Arafa is the second day of the Haj

Tuesday 21 August 2018

Country Known as Comments
Afghanistan Afghanistan Eid al-Adha Feast of Scarifice
Albania Albania Eid Al-Adha Subject to change
Bahrain Bahrain Eid Al-Adha Date varies on Lunar cycle
Bangladesh Bangladesh Eid ul-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle
Cameroon Cameroon Eid Al Adha
Djibouti Djibouti Eid Al Adha Feast of the sacrifice
East Timor East Timor Idul Adha Feast of the Sacrifice
Egypt Egypt Eid Al Adha Date varies on Lunar cycle
Gabon Gabon Eid Al Adha Date varies on Lunar cycle
Gambia Gambia Tobaski Feast of the Sacrifice
Ghana Ghana Eidul-Adha
Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau Tabaski Feast of the Sacrifice
Guyana Guyana Eid-Ul-Adha
Jordan Jordan Eid Al-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle
Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Kurban Ait Eid al-Adha
Kosovo Kosovo Eid ul-Adha Feast of the sacrifice
Kuwait Kuwait Eid Al-Adha
Lebanon Lebanon Eid Al-Adha Date varies on Lunar cycle
Libya Libya Arafat Day Date to be confirmed. Arafat (Haj) Day
Madagascar Madagascar (regional) Eid Al Adha For Muslims
Maldives Maldives Hajj Day Date to be confirmed. Arafat (Haj) Day
Niger Niger Tabaski Feast of the Sacrifice
Oman Oman Eid Al-Adha Date varies on Lunar cycle
Pakistan Pakistan Eid ul-Azha Holiday
Philippines Philippines Eidul Adha Sacrifice Feast
Qatar Qatar Eid Al Adha Feast of the Sacrifice
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Eid Al Adha Date varies on Lunar cycle
Sierra Leone Sierra Leone Eid Al Adha Feast of the sacrifice
Sudan Sudan Eid-Al-Adha Feast Of Sacrifice
Suriname Suriname Idul Adha
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Eid Al Adha
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Kurban Khait Date varies on Lunar cycle

Wednesday 22 August 2018

Country Known as Comments
Afghanistan Afghanistan Eid al-Adha Holiday
Algeria Algeria Eid ul-Adha Sacrifice Feast
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Gurban Bayrami Festival of Sacrifice
Bahrain Bahrain Eid Al-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle
Bangladesh Bangladesh Eid ul-Adha Date varies on Lunar cycle
Benin Benin Tabaski Feast of the Sacrifice
Brunei Brunei Hari Raya Aidil Adha Date varies on Lunar cycle
Burkina Faso Burkina Faso Tabaski The Feast of Sacrifice
Burundi Burundi Eid Al Adha Date varies on Lunar cycle
Central African Republic Central African Republic Tabaski Feast of the Sacrifice
Chad Chad Tabaski Feast of the Sacrifice
Djibouti Djibouti Eid Al Adha Holiday
Egypt Egypt Eid Al Adha Holiday
Ethiopia Ethiopia Eid Al Adaha Arefa
Guinea Guinea Tabaski Feast of the Sacrifice
India India (regional) Idul Juha Bakrid. Many states
Indonesia Indonesia Idul Adha
Iran Iran Eid-e-Qorban Feast of the Sacrifice
Iraq Iraq Eid Al-Adha Feast of Sacrifice
Ivory Coast Ivory Coast Tabaski Feast of the Sacrifice
Jordan Jordan Eid Al-Adha Date varies on Lunar cycle
Kenya Kenya (regional) Feast of the Sacrifice*
Kuwait Kuwait Eid Al-Adha Holiday
Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Kurman Ait The Feast of Sacrifice
Lebanon Lebanon Eid Al-Adha Holiday
Libya Libya Eid Al-Adha Date varies on Lunar cycle
Malaysia Malaysia Hari Raya Haji Festival of Sacrifice
Maldives Maldives Eid-ul Al’haa Sacrifice Feast
Mali Mali Tabaski Feast of the Sacrifice
Mauritania Mauritania Eid al-Adha Feast of the Sacrifice
Morocco Morocco Eid Kbir Eid Al-Adha. Date varies on Lunar cycle
Niger Niger Tabaski Holiday Null
Nigeria Nigeria Id el Kabir Eid Al Adha. Date varies on Lunar cycle
Oman Oman Eid Al-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle
Pakistan Pakistan Eid ul-Azha Day 1 Feast of Sacrifice
Qatar Qatar Eid Al Adha Holiday
Rwanda Rwanda Eid El Haj Sacrifice Feast
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Eid Al Adha Holiday Date to be confirmed.
Senegal Senegal Tabaski Feast of the Sacrifice
Singapore Singapore Hari Raya Haji Feast of the sacrifice
Spain Spain (regional) Aid El Kebir Ceuta, Melilla only. Feast of Sacrifice
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Idul Adha Hajjhi Festival Day
Tajikistan Tajikistan Kurban Bairam The Feast of Sacrifice
Tanzania Tanzania Eid El Haj Sacrifice Feast
Togo Togo Tabaski Feast of the Sacrifice
Tunisia Tunisia Aïd El Kebir Eid al-Adha
Turkey Turkey Kurban Bayrami Sacrifice Feast
Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Kurban Bairam The Feast of Sacrifice
Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Kurban Bairam The Feast of Sacrifice
Uganda Uganda Eid Al-Adha Feast of the Sacrifice
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Eid Al Adha Holiday
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Kurban Khait Holiday
Yemen Yemen Eid Al-Adha Date varies on Lunar cycle

Thursday 23 August 2018

Country Known as Comments
Afghanistan Afghanistan Eid al-Adha Holiday
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Gurban Bayrami Holiday Festival of Sacrifice
Bahrain Bahrain Eid Al-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle
Bangladesh Bangladesh Eid ul-Adha Day 2 Date varies on Lunar cycle
Egypt Egypt Eid Al Adha Holiday Public sector and banks
India India (regional) Idul Juha Holiday Jammu and Kashmir
India India (regional) Bakrid Delhi
Iraq Iraq Eid Al-Adha Holiday Sacrifice Feast. Date varies on Lunar cycle
Jordan Jordan Eid Al-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle
Kuwait Kuwait Eid Al-Adha Holiday
Libya Libya Eid Al-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle
Malaysia Malaysia (regional) Hari Raya Haji Holiday Kelantan, Terengganu only. Second day of Festival of Sacrifice
Maldives Maldives Eid-ul Al’haa Holiday Sacrifice Feast
Mauritania Mauritania Eid al-Adha Holiday Null
Morocco Morocco Eid Kbir Banks and Government only
Oman Oman Eid Al-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle
Pakistan Pakistan Eid ul-Azha Day 2
Qatar Qatar Eid Al Adha Holiday
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Eid Al Adha Holiday Date to be confirmed.
Tunisia Tunisia Aïd El Kebir Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle
Turkey Turkey Kurban Bayrami Holiday Sacrifice Feast
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Eid Al Adha Holiday Public sector
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Kurban Khait Holiday
Yemen Yemen Eid Al-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle

Friday 24 August 2018

Country Known as Comments
Egypt Egypt Eid Al Adha Holiday Public sector
Iraq Iraq Eid Al-Adha Holiday Sacrifice Feast. Date varies on Lunar cycle
Jordan Jordan Eid Al-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle
Libya Libya Eid Al-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle
Tunisia Tunisia Aïd El Kebir Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle
Turkey Turkey Kurban Bayrami Holiday Sacrifice Feast
Yemen Yemen Eid Al-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle

Saturday 25 August 2018

Country Known as Comments
Iraq Iraq Eid Al-Adha Holiday Sacrifice Feast. Date varies on Lunar cycle
Yemen Yemen Eid Al-Adha Holiday Date varies on Lunar cycle

Sunday 26 August 2018

Country Known as Comments
Qatar Qatar Eid Al Adha Holiday Public sector only
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Eid Al Adha Holiday Date to be confirmed. Public sector only

 

 

Read more from Shafaqna:

Eid Al Adha likely to begin on August 21st in Saudi Arabia

Eid Al Adha celebrations

Muslim Academy in Gretna (US) celebrates Eid Al Adha

Millions of Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha 2017

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