Eid al-Adha and the Gift of Grace

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]