What holidays do Muslims celebrate? 54
There are two major holidays in Islam:
Eid al-Fitr takes place on the first of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar year, after the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. The holiday celebration begins early in the morning with a special congregational worship. The Eid prayers are often held in a specially designated gathering place, such as a park or convention center, meant to accommodate large numbers of Muslims from several local masjids.
After the prayer, the imam (worship leader) delivers a short khutbah (sermon or address). Then everyone rises to their feet to greet and hug one another. The rest of the festival's observances are held among family and friends, and include visits, shared meals, new clothes, gifts for young children, and lots of sweets. In Muslim countries, festivities are often in evidence for three or more days. In order to share the spirit of the occasion with all members of society, Muslims pay a special nominal charity tax which is used to purchase food, clothing and gifts for needy persons.
Eid al-Adha takes place on the tenth of Dhul Hijjah (the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar), after the majority of Hajj rituals are completed by pilgrims. Around the world, Muslims share in the spirit of the Hajj by observing the Eid festivities in their own localities. The day's observances are similar to those of Eid al-Fitr, with the addition of a special sacrifice—Muslims commemorate Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his elder son Ishma'il when God commanded him to do so as a test of his commitment. Since God miraculously provided a lamb to Abraham which took the place of his son, Muslims recall the event by sacrificing animals such as lambs, goats, sheep, cows or camels. The sacrifice may be performed any time after the Eid morning prayers until the evening of the twelfth of Dhul-Hijjah. The meat of the sacrificed animals is distributed to the poor or needy, and portions are kept for one's own family and friends during this time of extra charity and hospitality.
Eid al-Fitr takes place on the first of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar year, after the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. The holiday celebration begins early in the morning with a special congregational worship. The Eid prayers are often held in a specially designated gathering place, such as a park or convention center, meant to accommodate large numbers of Muslims from several local masjids.
After the prayer, the imam (worship leader) delivers a short khutbah (sermon or address). Then everyone rises to their feet to greet and hug one another. The rest of the festival's observances are held among family and friends, and include visits, shared meals, new clothes, gifts for young children, and lots of sweets. In Muslim countries, festivities are often in evidence for three or more days. In order to share the spirit of the occasion with all members of society, Muslims pay a special nominal charity tax which is used to purchase food, clothing and gifts for needy persons.
Eid al-Adha takes place on the tenth of Dhul Hijjah (the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar), after the majority of Hajj rituals are completed by pilgrims. Around the world, Muslims share in the spirit of the Hajj by observing the Eid festivities in their own localities. The day's observances are similar to those of Eid al-Fitr, with the addition of a special sacrifice—Muslims commemorate Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his elder son Ishma'il when God commanded him to do so as a test of his commitment. Since God miraculously provided a lamb to Abraham which took the place of his son, Muslims recall the event by sacrificing animals such as lambs, goats, sheep, cows or camels. The sacrifice may be performed any time after the Eid morning prayers until the evening of the twelfth of Dhul-Hijjah. The meat of the sacrificed animals is distributed to the poor or needy, and portions are kept for one's own family and friends during this time of extra charity and hospitality.
