MUSLIMS CELEBRATIONS EID AL-ADHA FESTIVAL,

Makkah, 11 Dhulhijjah 1436/25 September 2015 (MINA) –Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states joined most of the Muslim nations as well as Muslim minorities in other countries across the world in starting their celebrations of Eid Al-Adha festival on Thursday, (09/24).

Around two million worshippers performed Eid Al-Adha prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, International Islamic News Agency (IINA) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

In Makkah, Imam and Khateeb Sheikh Khaled Al-Ghamdi offered the Eid sermon and led the prayers. In his sermon, Sheikh Al-Ghamdi urged the believers to fear God in all their words and deeds, both in their public and private life. He also highlighted the sublime message of monotheism underlined in Haj.

Also Read: IRAQ MINISTRY SAYS 320,000 IRAQIS HAVE SOUGHT REFUGE IN DOHUK

“Haj was made obligatory to proclaim every believer his sincere faith in the oneness of God and getting rid of anything and everything that led to polytheism.

All rituals of the annual pilgrimage are asserting this principle,” he said. Sheikh Al-Ghamdi emphasized that one of the main purposes of Haj is to educate pilgrims and train them to have a disciplined and orderly life anywhere they are and at all period of time.

In Madinah, Imam and Khateeb Sheikh Abdul Bari Al-Thubaiti delivered the Eid sermon and led the prayers. He urged Muslims to stand united to save Al-Aqsa Mosque from the Jewish aggressors.

Also Read: Aged Care Support Kit Developed for Muslims in Australia

Eid Al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates what Muslims believe was Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail as a test of his faith from God. In the end, he is provided with a sheep to sacrifice instead.

In remembrance, Muslims around the world slaughtered sheep and other livestock on Thursday, giving some meat to the poor.

Because Eid follows the Muslim lunar calendar that depends on sightings of the moon, some Muslims will be celebrating the first day of Eid on Friday. (T/Imt/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)