Two months and 10 days after Eid el Fitr, after the Ramadan, another important celebration for the Muslim world follows, the Eid al Adha 2012, or the festival of sacrifice. It is a religious festival, which is celebrated by the Muslims from the whole world, celebrating Ibrahim that had to sacrifice his own son to prove his devotion to Allah. Ibrahim was tempted by the devil not to listen the command, but God intervened and replaced the son of Abraham with a lamb. This way, the life of Ismael, or Isaac, as he is called in the Christian and Jewish world was spared.
Special habits for Eid al Adha
Today, the Muslims that have the necessary resources sacrifice an animal, usually a goat or a lamb to remember the sacrifice of Ibrahim. The meat is then shared with all the members of the community, and of course, with the tourists that have the curiosity to come in an Arab country for Eid al Adha. In some places of this world, the markets can’t keep up with the increasing demand for such products, and this is why a lamb might cost more than 300 dollars, or you might not find it at all!
Interesting facts:
- It is celebrated for the 10th day of the month Dhul Hijia, in the Islamic calendar.
- Takes place the second day after Hajj, the annual pilgrimage in Mecca.
Every Muslim celebrates the Eid al Adha with reverence. This festival is not only a remembering of Ibrahim, but also a reason for the Muslims to think about what sacrifices they are willing to make for god. Any Muslim knows that God put Ibrahim to a great test, and this is why they must think what sacrifices they are willing to make for god.
Traditions for this holiday
The Muslims prepare in time for this great event, with traditional foods, sweets, and fresh drinks. The whole day is spent for praying, for thanking to god, and also for eating and visiting friends. It is a day of giving, and every person that affords a sacrifice must find a way to give something to the people that are in need. The tourists coming here are thrilled about visiting mosques, and about participating to the events hosted by the Islamic world for this day. It is a great method to understand the values and culture of this world, and to take contact with some people that can’t be found in the European and American culture.
2012 Eid al Adha
A religious celebration, and this is why the Muslims find it so hard to allow people from other cultures to participate to this event. However, as the modern world is based on tourism, the Muslims had to adapt their habits to this world, especially in the areas where tourism is an important part of people’s lives. Today, you can attend special trips and Eid al Adha 2012 holidays, and as a passionate tourist, you should attend this event at least once in a lifetime.
