DUSHANBE, December 8, 2008, Asia-Plus — Today, Tajikistan’s Muslims are marking Eid ul-Adha or Idi Qurbon (Festival of Sacrifice).
Festive prayers will start at all cathedral mosques across the country at 9:00 a.m.
Eid ul-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide in commemoration of the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah. The devil tempted Ibrahim by saying he should disobey Allah and spare his son. As Ibrahim was about to kill his son, Allah intervened: instead Allah provided a lamb as the sacrifice. That is why Muslims who have the means to, sacrifice an animal, as a reminder of Ibrahim”s obedience to Allah on this day. The meat is then shared out with family and friends, as well as the poorer members of the community.
Eid ul-Adha is one of two festivals celebrated by Muslims, whose basis comes from the Koran. Like Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon.
Eid ul-Adha annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic calendar. Eid ul-Adha occurs the day after the pilgrims conducting Hajj, descend from Mount Arafat. It happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.
We will recall that more than 5,000 Tajik Muslims participated in the Hajj this year.
In his message of congratulations to the country’s people on occasion of Idi Qurbon, President Emomali Rahmon stressed significance of the Hajj for Muslims and expressed hope that on return home, hajjis will be calling people for unity, peace and constructive endeavor, setting an example of merit and honor labor.
