Earlier this month (Sunday, December 7th – Thursday, December 11th) Muslims around the world celebrated Eid al-Adha (“Feast of Sacrifice”). One of the most holy times of the year for Muslims, the Feast of Sacrifice celebrates the Quran’s account of God allowing Abraham to sacrifice a sheep (ram) instead of his son. (In the Old Testament the son was Isaac. In the Quaran the son was Ishmael.) During the festival, Monday, December 8th, was the most important day because it also marked the end of this year’s Hajj—a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia in honor of Muhammad’s journey to Mecca. Every Muslim is expected to make this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime, and the journey has special significance if you can make it during Eid al-Adha. …[read more]

Thanks to everyone for all your comments about my tree drama. So far things are still going well. The tree is still standing. A friend of mine (I can’t tell you his name, but his initials are GB) suggested that I put a picture of the tree on the blog. So here it is. (Bye the way, GB is the one on your right.) …[read more]