Eid al-Adha
Nov 18, 2010 18:17:25 GMT
Post by onlymark on Nov 18, 2010 18:17:25 GMT
The last three days in Egypt have been a national holiday (and a holiday of the same sort in the rest of the Islamic world). It is called Eid al-Adha, or "Festival of Sacrifice". There are a number of holidays here called ‘Eid’ something or other but this one always causes me a unique problem which I shall mention later.
But why is this time a holiday?
Abraham, who is a common religious figure between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam had a son, Ishmael. When the son was about 13 years old, and Abraham was about 99 years old, Allah or God or whatever you want to call him decided to test the faith of father and son.
Through a series of dreams he urged Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice.
Abraham eventually agreed to do so but only if his son also consented. Ishmael was approached and agreed, thus both demonstrated their willingness to sacrifice what was most precious to them for the sake of Allah.
At the last moment, as the sacrificial knife was raised, Allah intervened. He told Abraham, that as his sincere intentions were proven, he would replace his son with a ram to sacrifice instead.
Each year from then a celebration occurred of this willingness to sacrifice all held dear for the love of Allah and on his command.
Nowadays it is normally a sheep that is killed but it can be a cow, camel or goat.
There are as expected various rules regarding the ceremony but the main one is that you should kill it yourself.
If you are unable to do so, you must be present when it is done for you (the option most pick).
The meat is divided into three parts - the family retains one third, another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbours, and the other third is given to the poor and destitute.
But what is my problem at this time of year?
My daughters (now 11 years old) love sheep. Shaun the Sheep cartoon etc. Several houses around me keep one in their garden for a week or so in preparation of the event. Many more are ‘corralled’ around the estate especially in the local shopping area and the noise fills the air of their bleating.
But at the time of the deed the bleats take on an ominous tone – as if they know.
Eventually all is quiet. But if you then go to the ‘souk’ or walk the streets the blood is still flowing (by the way, no drainage system on the streets, the rain (read blood at this time) just puddles at the lowest points).
It takes many days, if not weeks, for the rust colour to disperse. So my daughters, even though getting to be more and more pragmatic, tend to stay close to home, the computer and the television during this holiday.
But I must say the meat doesn’t taste too bad at all.
But why is this time a holiday?
Abraham, who is a common religious figure between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam had a son, Ishmael. When the son was about 13 years old, and Abraham was about 99 years old, Allah or God or whatever you want to call him decided to test the faith of father and son.
Through a series of dreams he urged Abraham to offer his son as a sacrifice.
Abraham eventually agreed to do so but only if his son also consented. Ishmael was approached and agreed, thus both demonstrated their willingness to sacrifice what was most precious to them for the sake of Allah.
At the last moment, as the sacrificial knife was raised, Allah intervened. He told Abraham, that as his sincere intentions were proven, he would replace his son with a ram to sacrifice instead.
Each year from then a celebration occurred of this willingness to sacrifice all held dear for the love of Allah and on his command.
Nowadays it is normally a sheep that is killed but it can be a cow, camel or goat.
There are as expected various rules regarding the ceremony but the main one is that you should kill it yourself.
If you are unable to do so, you must be present when it is done for you (the option most pick).
The meat is divided into three parts - the family retains one third, another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbours, and the other third is given to the poor and destitute.
But what is my problem at this time of year?
My daughters (now 11 years old) love sheep. Shaun the Sheep cartoon etc. Several houses around me keep one in their garden for a week or so in preparation of the event. Many more are ‘corralled’ around the estate especially in the local shopping area and the noise fills the air of their bleating.
But at the time of the deed the bleats take on an ominous tone – as if they know.
Eventually all is quiet. But if you then go to the ‘souk’ or walk the streets the blood is still flowing (by the way, no drainage system on the streets, the rain (read blood at this time) just puddles at the lowest points).
It takes many days, if not weeks, for the rust colour to disperse. So my daughters, even though getting to be more and more pragmatic, tend to stay close to home, the computer and the television during this holiday.
But I must say the meat doesn’t taste too bad at all.