Eid al-Adha

Posted by Matthew McEwen

8"The Festival of Sacrifice" Eid ... Eid Mubarak! For the first time in 7 years we stayed in our host country during the Eid al-Adha festivities and sacrifices. We'd always heard about the sheep in Syria and blood running red in the streets but always fled in order to get our vacation time. Not this time. In Bangladesh the families that can afford sacrifice cows (100USD) ... and boy there were a lot. 5 million slaughtered ... I'm sure there are crazy numbers like that all over the world but here it's all on in the streets. I've been told that in other more developed countries this is all done by the butcher behind closed doors but here the butcher travels down the street visiting the houses. In all it's a very festive and giving time. The actual slaughtering of the cows had a very serious and religious tone and is done quickly, humanely, and cleanly. It was interesting to see the animals paraded around, some even decorated mildly. Since Indian Hindu's revere cows, we often joke that they should have run for the border but apparently there used to be big trade in cows during this time and since ties have suffered between the two countries there was a ban on Indian cows ... These are supposedly all Bangladeshi cows ... from where I do not know.

The sacrifice is to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmal as an act of obedience to God. At the time of sacrifice, God's name is recited along with the offering statement and a supplication as Muhammad said. According to the Quran, the meat is divided into three shares, one share for the poor, one share for the relatives and neighbors and the last to keep to oneself. A large portion of the meat must be given towards the poor and hungry people so they can all join in the feast which is held on Eid al-Adha. The remainder is cooked for the family celebration meal in which relatives and friends are invited to share. There are strict rules on the animal, which must meet age and quality standards. The sacrifice is conducted on the day after the pilgrims on the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca) descend from Mount Arafat. Please check wikipedia.com for all facts and figures.