We wish to extend happy greetings to Muslims who will
celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the two most important festivals in the Muslim
calendar.
Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to
sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to Allah. It also demonstrates
Allah's mercy in putting a lamb in Ishmael's place at the last moment.
Muslims believe that the very moment Ibrahim raised the
knife, God told him to stop, that he had passed the test, and to replace
Ishmael with a sacrificial ram.
Eid also marks the end of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to
Saudi Arabia that is an integral part of the Muslim faith.
The Koran urges all Muslims who can afford to should make
the journey to Saudi Arabia at least once in their lifetime. Every year, at
least two million Muslims will make the pilgrimage and stand before the Kaaba,
a shrine built by Ibrahim, and pray to Allah.
Here in the Philippines, Eid al-Adha is a public holiday
that involves animal sacrifice, prayers and family gatherings. The day begins
with morning prayers, followed by visits to family and friends and the exchange
of food and gifts. Muslims are obliged to share food and money with the poor so
that they can take part in the festivities.
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