Millions of Muslims across the United States and Canada celebrated Eid-Al-Adha on Saturday, July 9.
Eid Al-Adhais celebrated at the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage. It is the second and biggest of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr). It honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to Allah’s command.
In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for four days. In the international (Gregorian) calendar, the dates vary from year to year, shifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.
The Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for all Muslims physically and financially able to make the journey, which takes the faithful along a path traversed by the Prophet Muhammad some 1,400 years ago.
Eid prayers were offered at more than 2000 mosques across the United States and in public spaces. Similar congregations were held all over Canada as well, which is home to a large Muslim population. Meat stores were particularly.
While many immigrant Muslims do their Qurbani in their countries of origin, an increasing number of immigrant Muslims, have also started doing Qurbani here in the US. Many families organize Qurbanis at farms in the countryside, the majority pay their grocery stores to do the Qurbani and give them the cut meat, which is then distributed among friends, family members, and the needy, usually through food pantries.
“We are extremely busy. My two butchers have to cut into pieces 50 sacrifical goats,” said one Halal meant store mannager in Floral Park, Queens. Many families organized BBQ parties at their homes to celebrate Eid. Unlik North America, Eid festivities traditionally continnue for three days. But this year it continued for two days because the Eid fell on a Saturday.
Pakistan Week extends hearty Eid Mubarak to its valued readers.