We are in for the much-awaited week long festivity. Eid al-Adha is here!
Eid al-Adha commemorates Abraham and Ishmael’s willingness to obey Allah’s demand of sacrifice. Abraham had a vision of him sacrificing his son as he believed it to be a divine order from Allah. The celebration stems from a familiar story that is often heard in Christianity and Judaism as well. While the moral of the story may seem a bit grotesque for those outside (or even for those within) the faith, it’s a lesson on how sacrifice is purely about submitting one’s ego to the will of Allah. It acknowledges and recognises, no matter the size and scale, all sacrifices people make to stay on the straight and narrow path.
Eid al-Adha also marks the end of Muslim’s annual pilgrimage. Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam with other four being Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, and Sawm. Haj is the journey of people from across the world to the holy city of Makkah. It means ‘to intend a journey’ and denotes the physical as well as the mental willingness of people to visit Makkah. Notably, Abraham had travelled to Makkah with his family to sacrifice Ishmael for Allah.
Eid al-Adha lasts for about four days, starting on the evening of the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah (the 12th month of the Islamic calendar) and ending on the 13th day. The day usually starts in the early morning with Muslims dressed up in their best attire, making their morning prayers, and then visiting family and friends bearing food and gifts. Salat ul-Eid prayers are offered in congregationally large gatherings. A Khutba sermon follows the prayer. Muslims embrace and exchange greetings of well wishes. There is a peculiar tradition in Islam during Eid al-Adha. While returning home, they must take a different route than what they took to go to the mosque from home. Children often get gifts. It is a day to rejoice.
Since charity is one of the five pillars of Islam, Muslims must also share their food and money with those who are less fortunate. On the event and if they can afford to do so, faithful are expected to purchase a lamb or goat and then slaughter it according to Halal standards as a symbolic gesture of Abraham’s sacrifice to Allah. According to Islamic traditions, the meat should be divided into thirds: one for you and your family’s consumption, another for friends and neighbours, and another for the needy.
Eid al-Adha is also known with other names like Eid al-Kabir or Eid al-Qurban. In India, it’s called as Id-ul-Zuha or Bakrid. It has different translation in different languages since Eid al-Adha is actually an Arabic word. While in Tajik Persian it’s translated as Idi Qurbon, in Kazakh Qurban ayt, in Uyghur Qurban Heyit and Id ul-Kabir as another term in Saudi Arabia. In French Beig Eid, in Tamil Peru Nal, in Pashto Loy Akhtar and of course the most popular term of it is the Festival of Sacrifice which is being used all over the world.
Coming towards the food feast.There’s lots of food. However, you may find a difference in these delicacies and the method of cooking that varies from place to place. Often fried liver is served for breakfast, while the rest of the animal constitutes meals for lunch and dinner. In the Arab world, one of the basic ways to cook mutton is to braise it with plenty of garlic, cumin and onion over a slow fire. In Southeast Asia, biryanis are especially popular, while in Turkey, kebab (kebap in Turkish) is prevalent. Moroccan families may have their main dish be tagine (stew). For some American families, seared lamb can be the main attraction for the night.
Although Eid al-Adha is a Muslim festival, it remains a great opportunity to interact and celebrate with people from all faiths and communities. 
Welcome to another bout of ‘Nutty’s Infotainment. YAYS!’
And your time starts NOW! 


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(Answer next week. Answer to last week’s photoquiz: Koutoubiya Mosque, Marrakech)


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