Eid Al Adha, also known as the "Feast of Sacrifice", is the second of the two Islamic feasts celebrated each year by Muslims around the world.
This second Islamic festival takes place around 70 days after the last day of Ramadan, and is considered the most sacred of the two Eid festivals.
History of Aid Al Adha
The sacred feast of Eid al-Adha revolves around a story linked to Ibrahim (Abraham). Allah had asked Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishamel to the Almighty to prove his faith in Allah. He decided to obey the Almighty's orders, but at the same time, a demon tried to make him disobey the Almighty. Ibrahim threw stones at the demon to get rid of it. As a result, the devil left them. He was about to sacrifice his son when the Almighty replaced his son with a lamb. As he was faithful to Allah, his son was spared.
So, every year, Muslims celebrate the sacred feast of Eid al-Adha to commemorate Ibrahim's loyalty and obedience to Allah above all others. Eid al-Adha is also known as the Feast of Sacrifice because of Ibrahim's deeds.
Eid-al-Adha dates in the UAE
Eid al Adha in the United Arab Emirates is celebrated on the tenth day of the last month of the Muslim lunar calendar. The lunar calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, so the festival takes place on different dates each year. The festival is celebrated around 70 days after Ramadan, lasts five days and is generally observed during the last three days of the Hajj. For 2022, Eid Al Adha is scheduled to start on or around Saturday, July 9, and end on Monday, July 11.
Major Islamic holidays in the United Arab Emirates
Islam being the religion of the majority of UAE citizens, the UAE government has proposed several national holidays during the holy festival of Eid al-Adha. The public holidays begin on the day of Hajj and continue until the end of Eid.
However, all Muslim holidays are celebrated with zeal by the people of the United Arab Emirates, and national holidays are also reserved for them.
Eid-al-Adha formalities
Like other holidays, Eid is also celebrated by buying new clothes, eating delicious food and performing rituals, reciting prayers and helping the poor. However, there are certain formalities and rules concerning how Eid al-Adha is to be celebrated in the United Arab Emirates. Let's take a quick look at them.
Mecca and Hajj formalities
Performing a Hajj (pilgrimage), at least once in your life, is a necessity for good fortune if you are Muslim (also if you are financially able to do so). During Eid-al-Adha, Muslims from all over the world travel to Mecca or other surrounding areas in Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj. The government of the United Arab Emirates offers several sightseeing tours for Muslims performing Hajj during Eid.
Muslims performing the Hajj go to the town of Mina and throw stones at the town's three pillars. It is believed that Ibrahim threw stones at the devil at this spot to chase him away.
Muslims who are unable to perform the Hajj go to the mosque in the morning to pray, or spend time with family and friends, wearing new clothes and eating good food. On the day of Arafat, Muslims fast to mark the Prophet Mohamed's last sermon.
Religious offerings during Eid
In the Islamic religion, it is believed that if you give food, clothing or anything else to people in need, it can bring you good fortune. So, on the occasion of Eid al Adha in the United Arab Emirates, Muslims give clothes, money and even meat meals to the poor to make sure they don't go to bed hungry.
The Sacred Sacrifice - Gurbani
Gurbani refers to the process of sacrificing an animal (a sheep or a goat) to Allah. The animal represents the lamb that Ibrahim sacrificed to Allah. The animal is called Udhiya.
There are still traditional Muslim families or communities who buy an animal and sacrifice it to Allah on a given day. They then donate the meat to the poor for good luck.
In some countries, killing an animal for this purpose (Gurbani) is not allowed. In these countries, people buy meat from butchers and then donate it. Some families who don't want to buy meat, donate money directly to charities that provide poor people with special meat.
Eid Al Adha celebrations in the UAE
Lively atmosphere
During major holidays like Eid, cities in the United Arab Emirates come alive and preparations reach a whole new level. Cities like Dubai are lit up like never before, and shopping malls and cinemas display signs and offer massive Eid discounts. People even take to the streets to celebrate the holiday with everyone else and have a good time. Stores, boutiques and souks are also decked out and ready for the Muslim rush (to buy gifts to give to others on Eid).
The government is also offering special tourist deals and discounts during Eid al Adha in the UAE. However, you need to book your tickets in advance as everyone is interested to see how Arabs celebrate Eid en masse.
Exquisite food during Eid al-Adha
Eid brings home some traditional Arab cuisines that are certainly delicious to enjoy. As we know, Arabs have an exciting food culture for which they are also eminent. Some of these dishes are mentioned below.
Quzi-Quzi or Qoozi or ghozi rice is the national dish of Iraq and was introduced to Turkey and thus to the UAE by the Arabs. It is prepared with lamb cooked very slowly with a perfect combination of spices and served with rice. Finally, it is garnished with toasted rice and raisins. Due to its growing popularity, it has become an emblematic dish of this festival.
Chicken Machboos - Chicken Machboos or Machboos ala Dajaj is the national dish of Bahrain. This dish can be considered the alternative to Biryani (in India). Chicken thighs are cooked in tomatoes, herbs, onions and spices. It is then served with basmati rice. Medium-rare chicken, rich in spices, makes this dish a signature.
Luqaimat - Often referred to as Qatar's sweet dumpling, this is often served with tea as a snack. It is prepared by dipping doughnut balls in honey. The taste of this syrupy dumpling is heavenly for the taste buds.
