Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is the holiest of the two Islamic holidays. It honors the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened and provided a ram as a substitute. The holiday begins on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, coinciding with the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who can afford to do so sacrifice an animal (usually a sheep, goat, cow, or camel) and distribute the meat among family, friends, and the poor. The celebration includes special prayers, visiting family, exchanging gifts, and acts of charity. It typically lasts three to four days.