When is Eid al-Adha in the USA? Here’s how Muslims observe the holiday
Eid al-Adha is finally upon us, and Muslims worldwide are preparing to celebrate the "Feast of Sacrifice". Here's how it is celebrated in the U.S.
More than 2 billion Muslims are currently preparing to celebrate Eid al-Adha across the world. This June 6, the "Feast of Sacrifice" marks a grand Islamic holiday which is celebrated over a couple of days. This celebration, which is marked by prayer, and feasts.
Here's how one of the two major Islamic holidays is celebrated in the United States:
What is Eid al-Adha?
Eid al-Adha is also called the "Feast of Sacrifice" for a very good reason. This holiday commemorates Abraham's will to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of his faith; his son Isaac because God asked him to.
As everyone knows, God intervened at the last moment, and gave them a ram to sacrifice instead.
When is Eid al-Adha celebrated in the USA?
While Eid al-Adha always falls on the 10th day Dhul Hijjah, the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar, regardless of the day. This year, the holiday began at sunset on June 5, according to the Saudi Arabian government.
However, the people who are not participating in the tradition of Hajj, which is the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, something every Muslim has to do once in their lifetime; June 6 is the date where the holiday starts. Nonetheless, Eid al-Adha may vary from country to country.
What is Qurbani and How is it practiced in the USA?
Qurbani is a tradition observed during Eid al-Adha. Just like prophet Abraham ended up sacrificing an animal, Muslims with the means also participate in this ritual sacrificing any of the following animals:
- goats
- cows
- sheep
- lambs
- camels
While this tradition specifically is not required, it is encouraged as the meat is meant to be split in 3 ways: for you and nuclear family, family and friends, and for those who need it. Muslims go to slaughterhouses that practice zabitha, which is the slaughter method for halal animals.
