Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the most significant festivals celebrated by Muslims across the world. The festival commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, as an act of obedience to Allah.
According to The Quran, the Holy Book of Islam, the Feast of Sacrifice originates from the historic event when Prophet Ibrahim was commanded by Allah in a dream to sacrifice his son, Ismail.
Respecting the order, while Prophet Ibrahim was at the point to sacrifice his son, Ismael, Allah replaced a ram, which was to be slaughtered in place of his son and instructed him to sacrifice the ram as a ransom for Ismael.
Since that time, Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha to honor Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion and obedience to Allah- Obeying Allah to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Thus, during the feast of Eid Al Adha, Muslims re-enact Ibrahim’s obedience by sacrificing oxen or sheep.
Ethiopian Muslims also celebrate Eid al-Adha in a manner honoring Ibrahim’s devotion and obedience to Allah. They usually gather for prayers on open prayer grounds or mosques and perform the Eid prayer. After the prayers, friends and family will usually come together to share meals and exchange gifts. What is more, those who are able both physically and financially travel to the Holy City of Mecca in Saudi Arabia and perform Hajj pilgrimage which is one of the fifth pillars of Islam and at the same time it is an obligation to perform it at least once in their lifetime.
Extending a helping hand to the homeless and the needy in the form of money, food or clothes is also another religious value of Islam which has special significance for Muslim community.
During the festival, families who can afford to sacrifice a ritually acceptable animal (sheep, goat, camel, or ox) do so and then divide the meat from the slaughtered animal equally among themselves, friends and neighbors as well as the less fortunate ones; to fulfilling another Pillar of Islam—Zakat.
In connection to the celebration of the 1445th Arafah Holiday, Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council conveyed a message to all Ethiopian Muslims to mark the day with compassion and act of generosity.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Press Agency, Advisor to Council`s President and Foreign Affairs Relations Head, Asst. Prof. Adem Kamil, urged the Muslim communities to celebrate the Arafah festival in a manner fulfilling their age-old religious responsibilities of supporting the needy, which is the manifestation of Eid al-Adha.
Asst. Prof. Adem said that is a holiday where common social values, togetherness and supporting one another are entertained. In this regard, the Muslim community should extend its support to the needy; he said adding that while marking the holiday it is an obligation to reflect kindness and generosity to those who are less fortunate.
“The Muslim community should fulfill their religious obligations by nurturing the culture of cooperation and stretching hands to the needy, which is one of the values of the Arafah festival,” he reiterated.
According to the teachings of Islam, Eid al-Adha is the festival in which Prophet Ibrahim displayed humility and obedience to Allah when he willingly prepared to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, in response to Allah`s command. In this way, he showed complete humility and respect which led Allah to see the obedience of the Prophet Ibrahim and replace a ram to be slaughtered in place of Ishmael. In this regard, it is compulsory to practice selflessness and share some portion of the sacrifice to the needy.
Adem also said that the Festival of Sacrifice is a special day for it is a holiday where common social values of the community, such as sharing whatever there is and the acts of generosity are entertained widely.
During Eid al-Adha, Muslims, who can afford to sacrifice ritually acceptable cattle such as sheep, goats, camels or oxen, are expected to slaughter cattle and share the meat equally to neighbors, to families and the less fortunate ones. The practice is a true manifestation of the teachings of the religion and a ritual that further strengthens the culture of belongingness and togetherness, eating together.
He also said that Arafah, which is a festival of sacrifice and obedience, has a special meaning among followers of the religion; and Muslims with better health and financial capacity are expected to make a pilgrimage by visiting the Holy land, Mecca, at least once in their lifetime. The festival of Arafah, which is celebrated by the followers of Islam, is the place where the biggest Hajj is celebrated. Owing to this, it is a festival that demonstrates the equality of human beings, considerate and respect to each other.
Regarding the meaning of Arafah, Asst. Prof. Adem, who is also a Historian, said that it is a place where Adam and Hawa first met. On the actual day of the festival, more than two million followers of the religion, regardless of language, color, race or identity, will join together in the Holy Land to pray and glorify the creator. Adem said that those Muslims who did not get the chance to travel to the Holy Land will perform the Eid prayer in their respective places.
Mentioning that Ethiopia is a country that accommodates different religions, he underscored the importance of working together so that every citizen can live in equality and peace. “For a country whose symbol is peace and unity, it is crucial to sustain peace and tolerance to live in harmony,” he added.
In his message, Adem said that the culture of supporting one another and extending hands to the needy should not be confined only in times of holiday. It should be a day today practice and religious fathers have an important role to play to ensure peace, stability and development.
“As a means to further ensure the culture of extending helping hands to the needy and strengthening the culture of cooperation and supporting one another, which are the values of Eid al-Adha, religious leaders should teach and inculcate the values among their followers,” he remarked.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 16 JUNE 2024
