September24 Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha
On September 24, 2015, a ceremony in honor of the main Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha will be held on the territory of Ar-RahmaMosque in Kyiv. The program includes a festive prayer, sermon, greeting of the Mufti of Ukraine and fair. The prayer begins at 7:30.
The feast ofEid al-Adha (KurbanBayram) is a celebration of sacrifice, which begins in the morning, the 10thof Dhu al-Hijjahaccording to the Muslim lunar calendar and lasts four days. Eid al-Adhais the culmination of Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca): pilgrims perform ritual sacrifices in the valley of Mina to remember the sacrifice of Ibrahim (biblical Abraham). The mention of this event is present in the Bible and in the Koran.
Not only pilgrims shall make a sacrifice but every Muslim who has the means to do it. Sacrificial animals are considered to be cows, sheep and goats. The ritual is performed after the festive prayer, or in the next two days of the holiday.
The meat of sacrificial animals is traditionally divided into three parts: one part is left for own consumption,the second is given as alms to Muslims, the third is shared with relatives and neighbors, including non-Muslims. There is a good tradition of cooking holiday treats - pilaf, kebab, dumplings–out of the third par, for neighbors, friends, relatives and all those who come to visit during the holidays.
The sense of ritual sacrifice is first of all spiritual. Every Muslim shall make a sacrifice on his hard-earned money and share with the poor and needy, treat their guests with festive meal. This is an act of generosity and a donation with a hope for God's forgiveness.
