Eid ul Adha on the 2011

The Muslims celebrate Eid twice a year, Eid-ul-Fitr at the end of the holy month of Ramadhan, and the other, which comes about 10 weeks later, is called Eid-ul-Adha.

Eid-ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) is a festival that marks the completion of Hajj (Holy pilgrimage to Mecca). It is the festival of Sacrifice that commemorates the obedience of Hadhrat Ibrahim (AS) and his son Hadhrat Ismail (AS) to the commandment of Allah. Hadhrat Ibrahim (AS) had a series of dreams in which he saw himself sacrificing his son Ismail. He inferred that it was perhaps the will of God that he should sacrifice the life of his son. Hadhrat Ibrahim, being most obedient to God, was about to sacrifice the life of his son Ismail, when God commanded him to stop and gave him the good news that he had indeed fulfilled His command. God was so pleased with Ibrahim because of his obedience that He multiplied his progeny many folds. He was also given the great honour of being the forefather of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (SAW).

The day is marked by attending the congregational Eid prayer service, which this year will be held at 8 am at the Bait ul Muqeet Mosque in Wiri. Traditionally on this day Muslims wear new clothes, cook delicious food and invite and visit friends and neighbours to celebrate with them. On the day of Eid those Muslims who can afford to sacrifice an animal are enjoined to do so after Eid Prayer. A portion of the meat from the sacrificed animals is distributed to the poor and needy, with the rest being shared with friends and relatives. In countries where sacrificing an animal is not possible, an equivalent amount of money can be donated for arranging the sacrifice elsewhere with the meat being distributed to the needy.

At this joyous occasion, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at New Zealand would like to extend its best wishes and greetings to all fellow Kiwis, and wishes them ‘Eid Mubarak’.

Dr Nadeem Ahmad
General Secretary and Press officer
AMJNZ