- Over 3.5 million Muslims from different countries have taken part in the day-long Eid’l Adha or Feast of Sacrifice, marking the end of their annual pilgrimage or hajj
- The event, which commemorates the story of Ibrahim’s sacrifice and loyalty to God, is observed by offering of livestock, holding congregational prayers, reaching out to loved ones and those in need.
- The Philippines’ top officials urged the Muslim community to reflect on the lessons learned from Ibrahim’s story and live a live which includes sacrificing for the greater good.
Photo from New York Daily News (Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images)
At least 3.5 million Muslim pilgrims were in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to take part in Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice, one of the most important feasts in Islam, marking the end of hajj.
Eid’l Adha marks the willingness of prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son to God as a sign of obedience and loyalty, but God had provided him a sheep to sacrifice instead.
At least 7,000 Filipinos participated in the event which featured the act of slaughtering livestock and congregational prayers during the daylong feast.
Photo from CNN
Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), supervising the Filipino hajj delegates, called on his fellow Muslims to live by Islamic teachings and observe faithful obedience to God and established authorities.
The Philippines’s highest elected officials had reminded the Filipino Muslim community the importance of reaching out to others as they observed Eid’l Adha.
President Rodrigo Duterte said in a statement that the occasion calls on the people “to lend a piece of [themselves] to endeavors that redound to the common good and benefit the most number of people.”
“Ibrahim’s complete willingness to offer the life of his beloved son, in obedience to Allah’s divine command, is one of the most remarkable demonstrations of faith of all time,” he added.
Meanwhile, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo stressed the need to reach out to those residing in war-town Marawi City and the Muslim refugees who were separated from their families.
“May this occasion push us to live a life that beyond ourselves, and welcome with our hands, heart and mind those who are truly in need. This is also an opportunity for us to strengthen our unity as one nation: as a country that does not leave others behind, no matter what religion, skin color or place they come from,” Robredo said.
Eid’l Adha, which has been celebrated in the Philippines since 2002, signifies the end of the hajj, or the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
It is the second of two Eid celebrations—the first one being Eid’l Fitr, also an official holiday in Islam to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
During the observance, families also gather for meals, visit their relatives, friends, the graves of their loved ones, and donate to the poor.
“Eid Mubarak” and “Eid Saeed” are routine greetings used during the occasion to offer best wishes.
Photo from China.org (Xinhua)
Palace declared Monday, August 12, a regular holiday in the Philippines in observance of Eid’l Adha.
Sources:
- Office of the President and Office of the Vice President of the Philippines
- https://www.manilatimes. net/duterte-robredo-on-eidl-adha-reach-out-to-others-sacrifice-for-greater-good/598546/
- https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/08/10/muslims-worldwide-celebrate-eidl-adha/
- https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/09/world/eid-al-adha-2019-intl-scli/index.html