Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) is one of the two main Islamic festivals (the other is ‘Eid al-Fitr – Festival of Breaking the Fast), this festival falls on the 10th day of the lunar month of Zul-Hijja (Hijrah calendar) and is the concluding act of pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca.
Holy Qur’an 37:100-110
100 (Abraham prayed): “O my Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous.”101 So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy. 102 And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: “O my son! I have seen in a vision that I am slaughtering you (offering you in sacrifice to God). So look what you think! He said: O my father! Do that which you are commanded, if God wills, you shall find me of the patient.” 103 Then, when they had both submitted their wills (to God) and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice) 104 We called out to him “O Abraham! 105 “You have fulfilled the vision!” thus indeed do We reward those who do right. 106 Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial. 107 And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice (or a ram): 108 And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations. 109 “Peace and salutation to Abraham!” 110 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
In commemoration of Abraham’s faith, sheep, goats and camels are offered to God, and the meat is distributed to the poor and needy. Eid al-Adha is observed whether or not one is on pilgrimage.
When is Eid al-Adha in 2011?
Although Eid al-Adha is always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year, since the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar and the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. This difference means Eid al-Adha moves in the Gregorian calendar approximately 11 days every year. The date of Eid al-Adha may also vary from country to country depending on whether the moon has been sighted or not. In 2011, the Philippine government has declared November 07 (Monday), a non-working holiday to commemorate Eid al-Adha.
