Eid Al Adha 2019 – also known as Eid ul Adha – is just days away and the religious holiday will see millions of Muslims around the world celebrate one of their most important festivals. The occasion follows two months after Eid Al Fitr, the culmination of one month of fasting. This time around Muslims will not fast, however, instead choosing to celebrate the “festival of sacrifice” over three days. Some 1.6 billion people will take part but they can only do so once a New Moon has appeared in the sky.
When does Eid Al Adha end?
On the Islamic calendar, Eid Al Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhū al-Hijjah and continues for four days until the 14th.
The Islamic calendar runs on the lunar cycle, as opposed to the western Gregorian calendar’s dependence on the Sun and the solar cycle.
The dates traditionally differ because of this, and astronomers forecast the Eid Al Adha date using lunar charts.
The International Astronomical Society assigns predicted dates and this year Eid Al Adha is predicted to fall on Sunday, August 11.
Thes festival would, therefore, end on August 15.
However, for it to officially begin, Muslim leaders must sight a New Moon.
The Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia decides the official date with a sighting of the Zul Hijjah Moon.
This year the Zul Hijjah Moon was sighted on the evening of August 1 – meaning Eid al Adha will go ahead from Sunday, August 11.
How do you celebrate Eid Al Adha?
Eid Al Adha is known as the “festival of sacrifice”, and celebrates the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his child.
According to the Koran, Ibrahim was ordered to sacrifice his son, Ismail, and prove his loyalty.
As he was bringing down the blade on Ismail, God replaced him with a lamb, which Ibrahim sacrificed in his stead.
To commemorate Ibrahim’s act, Muslims commit their own sacrifices.
Those Muslims who can afford it will dress in their finest clothes and sacrifice their best halal domestic animals.
These are usually cows, goats or lambs, but can include camels, and must meet specific age and standards to be an acceptable sacrifice.
The sacrificed animal is cooked and divided into three parts, with one portion for the needy, one for family and friends, and one for the cook’s household.
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