MUSLIMS all over the world, estimated at 1.4 billion by the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), including 10 million Filipinos, will celebrate Eid’l Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, today, January 10. The second of Islam’s two major festivals after Eid’l Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast), Eid’l Adha commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Abraham (Peace be upon him) to sacrifice his son Ismael in obedience to God’s command. The lunar month of Dhul Hijjah began Sunday, January 1. Arafat Day was yesterday, January 9 and Eid’l Adha is today. Eid’l Adha observance starts with an early morning prayer worship during which the imams narrate to and impress upon the faithful Abraham’s unwavering loyalty to God.
The five-day pilgrimage, or Hajj, began January 9 when an estimated 2.5 million pilgrims from 160 countries converged on the plains of Arafat (12 kilometers from Makkah) for the "uqof" (Standing in Arafat). Hajj is a series of ceremonies that are intended "to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith and to commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham and his family." Every physically, mentally, and financially able adult Muslim must perform Hajj once in their lifetime. Filipino pilgrims, totaling over 3,000 led by Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) officials tasked to supervise the pilgrims, are expected to participate in the rituals in Makkah, Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina.
Eid’l Adha is considered and recognized as a legal Muslim holiday by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1083 and Civil Service Commission Resolution No. 81-1277, dated November 13, 1981. Republic Act No. 9177 signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on November 13, 2002, declared Eid’l Adha a regional holiday in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
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