Posted on 05/07/2022.

There are two Eids in the Islamic calendar: Eid al-Fitr, which is known as the Lesser Eid or simply Eid, and Eid al-Adha. The two Eids are important celebrations for Muslim people across the world.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and was celebrated earlier in the year. Eid al-Adha is a time of celebration, commemorating the prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to Allah for his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail.

To honour Ibrahim’s devotion to his son, Muslim people around the world observe Eid al-Adha. It is also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice and falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th and final month in the Islamic calendar.

Unlike many religious events, Eid al-Adha doesn’t happen on the same date each year. Instead, the time when the celebration takes place is determined by the sighting of the moon, which is also the case for many other festivals in the Islamic calendar.

This year, Eid al-Adha will begin on the evening of Saturday, July 9. It lasts for four days, and will therefore end on the evening of Wednesday, July 13.

That is because the month of Dhu al-Hijjah will begin on June 30 and Eid al-Adha takes place on the 10th day of that month. The dates of the Islamic lunar calendar vary each year depending on the moon – they shift approximately 11 days earlier each year.

What does Eid al-Adha celebrate?

Eid al-Adha celebrates a story that comes from both the Quran and the Bible. This is the tale of Ibrahim (known as Abraham by Christians and Jews).

In the story, Allah told Ibrahim to sacrifice his own son, Ismail, as a test of his devotion and obedience. Ibrahim loved his son, but he was committed to following Allah’s order.

Before the sacrifice could take place, Allah gave Ibrahim a lamb to kill in his son’s place. Ibrahim had successfully proven his devotion to Allah.

How is Eid al-Adha celebrated?

In many Muslim countries, Eid al-Adha is a public holiday. Some celebrations include sacrificing an animal, known as Qurbani, to commemorate the lamb given by Allah to Ibrahim.

Original Post: https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/eid-al-adha-2022-how-24361663