Afghanistan marks largest religious festival

Each year, millions of Muslims make the pilgrimage and stand before the Kaaba, a shrine built by Prophet Ibrahim, and pray to God.

Those who can not perform Hajj fast and celebrate Eid to participate in the blessings of the season.

Tempers flared at a school board meeting in New Jersey when a room crowded with Muslim parents learned that schools will remain open during the upcoming holiday of Eid- al-Adha.

President Rouhani also wished good health and success for all Muslim governments and nations.

Muslims can sacrifice a sheep, ram, cow, or camel in the ceremony.

Eid al-Adha, also known as festival of sacrifice, is celebrated worldwide on the 10th day of Duhl Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic year.

“He [Abraham] wouldn’t have had that child if it weren’t for God”, Elkadri said. The animals have to meet certain standards in order to qualify for sacrifice, Arab News reports. Thus, they remind themselves of the prophetic willingness to sacrifice anything for the sake of God. “It is a festival with a message to sacrifice our ego, pride, give up thoughts of hatred and all other bad habits”, said Maulana Abdul Rehman, the chief cleric of the mosque. The family retains one third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy.

“This is the festival of sacrifice and charity where Muslims remember those who are in poverty and in dire need of our support”. Distributing meat and chanting Takbir before the Eid prayers are essential parts of the festival.

“Allah” is the Arabic word for God, which is used by Muslims and by Arab Christians. The pilgrimage, which is one of the five pillars, or key tenets, of Islam involves five days of praying in Mecca and the surrounding desert.

“It’s only one of two holidays for Muslims”, Elkadri said.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Reporter Cleo Greene was invited to the Phillips Community Center in South Minneapolis for morning prayer services on Thursday. “It is (an opportunity) to get the family closer together”.