Eid, the feast of sacrifice
Eid begins during the annual Hajj Pilgrimage in Mecca which is a religious duty that every Muslim who is able to afford the trip must do at least once in their lifetime.
Monday marked the start of where Muslims gathered with family and friends to celebrate the Islamic holiday Eid-al-Adha.
Known as the “feast of sacrifice” Eid involves the slaughtering of livestock, mainly sleep as a symbol of faith and devotion.
At an Eid celebration in Desainagar on Monday, Iqrum Cassim said the occasion itself is done in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim who is known and admired for his devotion to God.
“Ibrahim was about 90-years-old and he wished for nothing more than a son. Eventually God answered his prayers and gave him a son who he loved very much,” said Cassim.
“To test his devotion God asked Ibrahim to sacrifice his son. Ibrahim obeyed God and he blindfolded his son and prepared to behead him. Before he could kill him he closed his eyes and when he opened them his son was replaced with a lamb.
“We sacrifice animals as a sign of our devotion to God.”
Eid begins during the annual Hajj Pilgrimage in Mecca which is a religious duty that every Muslim who is able to afford the trip must do at least once in their lifetime.
This begins on the tenth day of the Islamic lunar month called Dhul-Hijja.
Cassim said that there is no rule as to how many sheep should be sacrificed. He explained that the animals are killed in a humane manner.
“We buy the sheep a few days before Eid we tend to them by feeding them and making sure that they are comfortable. We do this to form an emotional bond with the animals.
“They are slaughtered using a sharp knife, with three strokes to the jugular vein. Each sheep is tagged with the name of the person who will slaughter it. We do not see the sacrifice as a bargaining tool with God. It is done purely to show devotion.”
The three-day celebration is also a way for Muslims to give to the less fortunate, and one third of the sacrificed meat is given to the poor.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.
Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
