DUSHANBE, November 16, 2009, Asia-Plus — This year, the Muslim Holiday Idi Qurbon (Festival of Sacrifice) is celebrated on November 28, according to the Shuroi Ulamo (the council of scholars and imams that provides interpretations of religious practices).
Idi Qurbon or Eid al-Adha “Festival of Sacrifice” or “Greater Eid” is a Muslim Holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God.
Eid al-Adha is the latter of two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims, whose basis comes from the Quran.
Like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon (khutba).
Eid al-Adha annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic calendar. Eid al-Adha occurs the day after the pilgrims conducting Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. It happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.
Men, women, and children are expected to dress in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayer in a large congregation in open area or mosque. Muslims who can afford to do so sacrifice their best domestic animals as a symbol of Ibrahim”s sacrifice.
The regular charitable practices of the Muslim community are demonstrated during Eid al-Adha by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished person is left without sacrificial food during these days. Distributing meat among people is considered an essential part of the festival during this period. Families that do not own livestock can make a contribution to a charity that will provide meat to those who are in need.
