Friday 29 December😃
- Hajj (start) The annual pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims should complete at least once in their lifetime.😛
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Once a year, Muslims of every ethnic group, colour, social status, and culture gather together in Mecca and stand before the Kaaba praising Allah together.
The Great Mosque in Mecca with the Kaaba in the middle
It is a ritual that is designed to promote the bonds of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood by showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah.
The Hajj makes Muslims feel real importance of life here on earth, and the afterlife, by stripping away all markers of social status, wealth, and pride. In the Hajj all are truly equal.😳
The Hajjis or pilgrims wear simple white clothes called Ihram. During the Hajj the Pilgrims perform acts of worship and they renew their sense of purpose in the world.
Mecca is a place that is holy to all Muslims. It is so holy that no non-Muslim is allowed to enter.
For Muslims, the Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. It occurs in the month of Dhul Hijjah which is the twelfth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the journey that every sane adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lives if they can afford it and are physically able.😊
Eid ul Adha😛
Sunday 31 December😃
- Eid-Ul-Adha Festival of Sacrifice marking the day after Arafat. The Day of Arafat is the most important day in the Hajj ritual. This is a four day holiday
Eid ul Adha (10 Dhul-Hijja) - the festival of sacrifice
Animals are sacrificed and then distributed among family, friends and the poor
This is a four-day public holiday in Muslim countries.
The festival remembers the prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to.
Ibrahim's sacrifice
God appeared in a dream to Ibrahim and told him to sacrifice his son Isma'il. Ibrahim and Isma'il set off to Mina for the sacrifice.
As they went, the devil attempted to persuade Ibrahim to disobey God and not to sacrifice his beloved son. But Ibrahim stayed true to God, and drove the devil away.
As Ibrahim prepared to kill his son God stopped him and gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead.
Celebrations
Ibrahim's complete obedience to the will of God is celebrated by Muslims each year.
Each Muslim, as they celebrate, reminds themselves of their own submission to God, and their own willingness to sacrifice anything to God's wishes.
During the festival Muslims who can afford to, sacrifice domestic animals, usually sheep, as a symbol of Ibraham's sacrifice. (British law insists that the animals must be killed in a proper slaughterhouse.)
The meat is distributed among family, friends and the poor, who each get a third share.
As with all festivals there are prayers, and also presents.😛
Happy holiday from me TO YOU ALL.😳
Cheers !
Andromeda😛
Bindi
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Jodha Akbar
