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When is Eid ul-Adha 2019 in the UK? And what is Hajj?



Next month marks the start of Eid ul-Adha, brining Muslims all over the world together to celebrate.

Eid ul-Adha follows the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr in the Islamic calendar, which is observed at the end of Ramadan and occurred in June of this year.

Traditional celebrations will include prayer, family gatherings and the exchanging of gifts.

Here’s everything you need to know about when Eid ul-Adha is and how it’s celebrated:

What is Eid ul-Adha?

Muslims across the world are celebrating the annual festival of Eid al-Adha (AFP/Getty Images)

Eid ul-Adha, also known as The Festival of Sacrifice or ‘Big Eid,’  is considered the holier of the two Eids, and marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage (one of the five pillars of Islam).

The festival remembers the story of Ibrahim’s sacrifice when Allah appeared to him in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his son Isma’il as an act of obedience to God.

As Abraham was about to kill his son, Allah stopped him and gave him a lamb to sacrifice instead.

The story demonstrates Abraham’s dedication to surrendering to Allah and Muslims celebrate Eid as a reminder of their own commitment to God.

How is Eid ul-Fitr different from Eid ul-Adha?

Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a period where Muslims fast during daylight hours.

The holiday is usually celebrated by paying zakat (giving to charity) and having a large meal with family and friends.

This year, Eid al-Fitr was celebrated on 3 June.

What not to say to a Muslim during Ramadan

When is Eid ul-Adha?

This year, Eid ul-Adha will begin on Sunday 11 August and end on Thursday 15 August.

The exact date of Eid ul-Adha changes every year depending on the sighting of the moon, as the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle.

The celebrations begin two days after the start of the Hajj.

What is Hajj?

Muslim worshippers perform evening prayers at the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca. (Getty)

Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to the Kaaba in Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Every year, around 2 million Muslims from around the world converge on Mecca, dressed in white clothes called Ihram, which signifies the bonds of Islamic brotherhood and sisterhood by demonstrating that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah.

What does ‘Eid Mubarak’ mean?

During Eid ul-Adha, Muslims often greet each other by saying ‘Eid Mubarak’ – which means ‘blessed Eid.’

How do Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Adha?

Indonesian Muslims perform Eid al-Adha prayers. (Getty)

Eid celebrations usually start with Muslims going to the Mosque for prayers, thanking Allah for all the blessings they have received.

Family and friends will also typically gather to socialise and eat good food.

Sacrifice is a big part of Eid ul-Adha tradition and some Muslims will slaughter a sheep or goat to honour the Islamic date. Anyone wishing to sacrifice an animal in the UK must follow the welfare standards.

The sacrificial meat is then divided into thirds and shared between friends, family and the poor.

Money to charity can also be given to help the poor buy clothes and food.



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