The Quadrangle

Issue date: 1/26/05 Section: Features

Most in Jasperland are aware of the story of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) and his willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's orders. They, however, may not be aware that their Muslim peers celebrated a holiday in his honor. Known as Eid ul Adha, it is celebrated on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Zil Hijjah.

Eid ul Adha is not observed like the ordinary holidays. The exact day of celebration is determined by the sighting of the new moon of that month. According to the teachings of the Muslim religion, it is said that a Muslim and his two witnesses must be able to see the new moon with their naked eyes. The sight of this new moon can only be seen for a few minutes, after 13 hours of its birth, before sunset. Looking for the moon via telescope or using any type of astronomy to determine the birth of the moon ahead of time is not accepted. It is mandatory that the new moon is seen by the naked eye every year.

Once the new moon is seen, Muslims of that society are informed that Eid ul Adha will be observed the next day. When the new moon is first seen in Saudi Arabia, millions of pilgrims in Mecca prepare themselves to perform the fifth pillar of Islam, Hajj. Hajj is when capable Muslims from all over the world come together in Mecca to perform specific religious activities and prayers. Muslims who are not performing Hajj celebrate by sacrificing cows, sheep, goats, or camels, and feeding the poor. The sacrifice of an animal symbolizes the animal Prophet Abraham (pbuh) sacrificed in the name of God. The feeding of the poor is also observed as to follow the third pillar of Islam, zakah, or charity.

The day of Eid ul Adha starts with massive amounts of people young and old, dressed in new or best outfits, gathering in mosques to do the Morning Prayer, known as Fazar. This attendance of prayer is like attending morning Mass on Christmas. Friends and families visit each other to share delicious food and have a good time. As "Merry Christmas" is wished upon those who celebrate Christmas, Muslims exchange the phrase "Eid Mubaruk" on Eid ul Adha.

Within such great celebration lays one controversial dilemma: who determines the day of Eid ul Adha? This year, for example, while one group in America celebrated Eid ul Adha on Thursday, January 20th along with some Muslims in Netherlands, most Muslims around the world decided Friday, January 21st was the right day. The main reason this problem occurs is due to the fact that the new moon can be seen at different times around the world. It is yet to be settled among all Muslims groups if the decision of moon sighting should lay with Saudi Arabia, a major center for Muslims, or the country Muslim societies reside in. Nevertheless, Muslims celebrate Eid ul Adha to remind themselves what Islam truly means. It is about caring for those who are less fortunate and praising God for what one possesses.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools