Eidul Adha, a Muslim global holiday
By Abdel Aziz Dimapunong
Imam, Masjid AlKhairi, Manila, Philippines
[Originally posted at http://dimapunong.sulekha.com ]
December 30, 2006, was a Muslim holiday. The exact date is the
corresponding date in the lunar Hijrah calendar which is the tenth day of
the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah. This holiday is called Eidul Adha to the
Arabs, Eid-e Qurban for Persians and Kurban Bayrami for Turkish. The
exact spelling is the corresponding Arabic script. If one has to search the
Internet about it, the spelling in English could be Eidl Adha, Eid ul Adha,
Eid al-Adha, or Eidul Adha.
In my country, the Philippines, Eidul Adha is recognized officially by the
Government as a Muslim holiday. By virtue of a law which was recently
signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Eidul Adha is now a National
Holiday in this country. It
is among regular holidays under the
Administrative Code. Before the law was signed, Eidul Adha used to be just
a holiday for the Muslims only. Witnessed by Muslim legislators and
diplomatic personalities from the Organization of Islamic Countries,
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed the law last November 13, 2002
at Malacanang Palace. The law also proclaims Eidul Fitr as a Muslim
regular holiday in the same way as Eidul Adha. The Eidul Fitr takes its
name from the Fitrah which is an obligatory religious Tax (Zakat) to be paid
by all financially able Muslims. Fitra becomes due and obligatory upon
sighting of the moon of the month of Shawwal and in the Hijrah calendar.
Fitra is recommended to be paid before the prayer of Eidul Fitr.
Eidul Adha marks the completion of the annual hajj, the pilgrimage to the
holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. On this occasion, I wish every Muslim
a great holiday and I congratulate all who perform the annual hajj this year.
At the end of the Hajj, Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday
of Eidul Adha.
Eidul Adha is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice. The