Muslims share in celebration of sacrifice

Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid Ul-Adha, or celebration of sacrifice, on Sunday.

Eid Ul-Adha falls on the 10th day of the lunar month of Zul-Hijja (the lunar calendar consists of 12 months; each month consists of 29 or 30 days according to the moon cycle).

Although only pilgrims to Mecca can celebrate it fully, Muslims elsewhere share in celebration of this holiday.

Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, is the Fifth Pillar of Islam.

It is obligatory on every adult Muslim who is capable of taking the trip physically and financially, at least once in his/her lifetime.

Every year more than 2 million Muslims from more than 70 countries journey to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Hajj is considered the largest convention taking place on earth.

Pilgrims follow the Hajj rituals that commemorates the trials of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), his wife, Hagar, and their son, Ishmael.

Among the rituals is visiting a shrine in Mecca known as Ka’bah, the first house built to worship God.

Ka’bah is the direction where all Muslims around the world face while reciting their prayers.

The other four Pillars of Islam are: The testimony of faith, offering the five daily prayers, fasting the month of Ramadan, and paying a certain share as charity.

Muslims celebrate Eid Ul-Adha with the morning congregational prayers, dressed in their best clothes and chanting the Eid Takbeir.

Another ritual that pilgrims to Mecca, as well as Muslims elsewhere, follow is sacrificing a sheep in commemoration of Abraham’s obedience to God when ordered to sacrifice his son.

The meat is divided among family, friends and the needy.

Families and friends also visit and exchange gifts.

Eid celebration continues for four days.

Randa Shabayek is a member of the Masjid Al-Kheir mosque in Youngstown.