Religion

Religion

Azerbaijan marks Eid al-Adha

25 October 2012 08:06 (UTC +04:00)

Sacrificing a domestic animal on that day is related to Prophet Ibrahim. Muslims remember the story of the Prophet Ibrahim that is told in the Koran. Ibrahim dreamed that Allah wanted him to kill his beloved son, Ismail. To show his willingness to obey Allah, Ibrahim got ready to kill his son. Ibrahim heard Allahâ€™s voice telling him to stop. Allah told him that he had proved his love by willing to give up his son. He gave Ibrahim a lamb from the heavens to sacrifice instead. Therefore, Muslims, who can afford to do so, sacrifice their best domestic animals (usually sheep, but also camels, cows, and goats) as a symbol of Ibrahimâ€™s sacrifice. The meat has to be distributed among the poor.

Eid al-Adha is celebrated 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan and usually lasts for four days. Animals are sacrificed on this sacred day in Baku and all regions of Azerbaijan. On the occasion of holiday, 25 and 26 October were announced as non-working days.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Chairman of the Caucasian Muslim Board Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazadeh congratulated Azerbaijani people on Eid al-Adha.

â€œAPA Groupâ€ congratulates the Azerbaijani people on holy Eid al-Adha.