‘Id al-Adha and the Hajj

‘Id al-Adha is the other important Islamic festival. It is celebrated during the Hajj. The Hajj is a religious pilgrimage taken during the last month of the Islamic year. It is a pilgrimage to Mecca. The pilgrimage to Mecca is an obligation to all Muslims to be performed at least once a year. The Hajj consists of traveling to Mecca, Medina, Mina, the Plain of Arafat, and Muzdalifah. The total travel time is generally 5 days. Newcomers to Mecca stop at Miquat to wash, pray, and put on an Ihram, which is two pieces of white cloth that is draped around the body. This article of clothing is a must to enter into Mecca while on the Hajj. There are several customary rituals performed during Hajj. 1. Circle the Ka’ba (Islam's sacred shrine) seven times. This is called Tawaf. 2. Visit the plain of Arafat 9 km away. 3. Visit Muzdalifah. 4. Sacrifice an animal at Mina-This is to signify how Abraham was ready to kill his son Ishnael, but God substituted a sheep for Ishnael. 5. Throw stones at the 3 pillars of Satan-This is to signify how Satan persuaded Abraham not to kill Ishmael, but Abraham threw stones at Satan. 6. Trim or shave their hair. At Mecca, pilgrims are given Zamzam water as a gift to take back to their families. It is considered to be very holy. Anyone who has successfully completed the Hajj is known as a "Hajji". The festival 'Id al-Adha represents the day when Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son in the name of God. This festival is celebrated after the Hajj. Pilgrims are required to sacrifice an animal, usually a lamb, at the sacrificial altar. The main course of the meal eaten during 'Id al-Adha usually comes from the animal that was sacrificed. Additional items on the menu include other meats, breads, and a special type of rice called biriyani.

Above: Islamic prayer beads are used for counting prayers that are chanted while circling the Ka’ba.       Above: Chicken biriyani is one of the foods eaten during the 'Id al-Adha celebrations