Also known as the “Feast [or “Eid”] of Sacrifice”, Eid al Adha is all about the love of God. Indeed, it commemorates Abraham’s story of willingness to sacrifice his own son, just for the sake of his loyalty to and love of God. However, at the very last moment, a sheep miraculously replaced the son. Yes, God did not want Abraham to offer his son. Hence the replacement of young child with the animal.
Of note, Eid el Adha is a shared feast between Muslims and Druze around the world.
What is Islam, to begin with? “It is a major world religion, founded by Muhammad in Arabia in the early 7th century ce… Islam is a strictly monotheistic religion, and its adherents, are called Muslims” (https://tinyurl.com/3k7dpu3u).
Muslims consider “the Prophet Muhammad as the last and most perfect of God’s messengers, who include Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and others” (https://tinyurl.com/3k7dpu3u).
What about the Druze? They are “a prominent religious community of more than a million people” (https://tinyurl.com/3u7dmxk5). Interestingly, they are spread mainly across Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and China.
“The Druze emerged in Egypt in the early 11th century as a branch of the Ismaili sect of Shiite Islam. They are monotheistic and call themselves “muwahhidun”, or unitarians”. “Highly secretive”, the Druze faith “includes mystical elements like reincarnation” (https://tinyurl.com/3u7dmxk5).
During this time of joyful celebrations, it is common for people celebrating Adha to sacrifice a sheep, sharing it among family members and friends while “distributing some meat to poor people” (https://tinyurl.com/4x56stw9).
Happy Eid el Adha! May it be both blessed and fun for all those celebrating it!
