INTRODUCTION

Eid-l-Adha means “Feast of Sacrifice”, and it celebrates the memory of Prophets Abraham and Ismail.  Prophet Abraham was one of the great Prophets who tried to convince his people that there was only one God; Ismail was his oldest son.  One day, when Prophet Abraham was with Ismail, an Angel came to him and told him that he had to sacrifice his son.  He was heartbroken, of course, but  he believed that it was the will of God.  Ismail also believed it, and bravely accepted his fate.  But just before Prophet Abraham was about to do it, he heard a voice telling him that he passed the test since he showed his intentions, and to sacrifice an animal instead.  

The Feast of Sacrifice commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice everything for God, including the life of his son Ismail.  Muslims celebrate by slaughtering an animals and sharing its meat among family, friends, and the poor as a special act of charity for the occasion.  On that day, Muslims start with a special morning prayer, followed by a community breakfast.  As with the other Eid (Eid-ul-Fitr - “Festival of the Breaking of the Fast”),  Muslims dress up in new or special clothes, visit friends and reliatives, hold Eid gatherings or parties, and give gifts to children and each other.

DEVELOPMENT

Read the story about Eid-ul-Adha from “The Three Muslim Festivals” by Aminah Ibrahim

REINFORCING ACTIVITIES

Let students colour a photocopied page from the book.