Commemorating Eid’l Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice

Around the world and in the Philippines, Muslims are celebrating Eid'l Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice.

The festival commemorates Abraham's willingness to obey God's command to sacrifice his son Ishmael, and Ishmael's consenting to God's will.

Just as Abraham was about to take Ishmael's life, God intervened and spared the boy. A ram was sacrificed instead.

Because of this, Muslims with the means to do so will sacrifice an animal such as a cow or a goat during Eid'l Adha, and share the meat with neighbors and friends and with the poor.

Eid'l Adha is one of two of the greatest Eids (holidays) on the Muslim calendar. The first, Eid'l Fitr, marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and is also called the Lesser Eid. Eid'l Adha is called Greater Eid and lasts four days.

Eid'l Adha also marks the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca made by millions of Muslims around the world.

While FIlipinos nationwide are already celebrating the feast, the government has declared September 25 as a regular holiday in observance of Eid'l Adha. In its proclamation, the government said that the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) recommended that the observance of Eid’l Adha in the country be on Friday, September 25, amending its earlier recommendation to observe the occasion on September 24.

If you want to greet your Muslim compatriots a happy Eid during this festive season, say "Eid Mubarak!" — BM, GMA News