When Is Eid Al-Adha 2021? Facts About Muslim Feast Of Sacrifice

Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the holiest celebrations on the Islamic calendar.

This year, it begins on the evening of July 19 and ends with the culmination of Hajj – an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia – on July 22. ountries like India will observe the festival from July 20 to July 21.

What and when is Eid al-Adha?

Millions of Muslims across the globe mark the day as a reminder when Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son Ismail (aka Ishmael) at God’s command. But when Ibrahim was on the verge of sacrificing his son, God intervened, replacing Ismail with an animal. This day symbolizes Ibrahim’s devotion to "Allah" (God). The start date for Eid al-Adha depends on the sighting of the new moon. It is determined based on the lunar cycle, which means the festival falls on a different date every year.

How is Eid al-Adha celebrated?

The day begins with Muslims offering their morning prayer, followed by the slaughtering of an animal like a goat or sheep. Affluent Muslims are expected to sacrifice their best halal animals to symbolize Ibrahim’s sacrifice.

According to the rituals, the meat of the sacrificed animal must be divided into three portions -- one to be distributed among the poor, one for relatives and one for self-consumption. The day is spent celebrating with family, friends and loved ones, often wearing new or best attire and the giving of gifts.

Other names for Eid al-Adha

In the Philippines, this day is spelled as Eidul Adha. Eid el-Kabir is the commonly referred term for the celebration in Nigeria and Morocco. It is referred to as Tabaski in Senegal and Gambia. In Turkey, it is called Kurban Bayrami. Hari Raya Haji is another name for the festival in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. This day is celebrated by the name Eid è Qurban in Iran.

Bakr-Id or Qurbani Eid, as referred to in the Urdu language, is another name for the day in India and Bangladesh.