CAIRO – Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi performed Eidul Adha prayers at the Mosheer Tantawy Mosque in New Cairo suburb. The prayers of Eidul Adha began at daybreak on Saturday.
Performing the prayers alongside the president were Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Ahmed El Tayyeb Defense and Military Production Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces General Mohamed Zaki and other ministers and senior state officials.
The Eidul Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice in English, is the second of two Muslim great festivals, the other one being Eidul Fitr. Eidul Adha commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in an act of obedience to God.
The sound of Takbir (saying “Allah Akbar” in Arabic) and prayers echoed through the mosque and the mosque’s imam gave a sermon about the lessons that should be drawn from the story of Prophet Abraham and his willingness to sacrifice his son at God’s command, reminding worshippers that the Eidul Adha is a great chance to reflect on the values of sacrifice, compassion and charity and is a joyful and blessed occasion for people to bond together and reconnect with their families, neighbors and friends.
The Eidul Adha marks the culmination of the Hajj (pilgrimage) rites at Minā, near Mecca, Saudi Arabia, but is celebrated by Muslims throughout the world. As with Eidul Fitr, it is distinguished by the performance of communal prayer at daybreak on its first day. It begins on the 10th of Dhū al-Ḥijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, and continues for an additional three days.
During the festival families that can afford to sacrifice a ritually acceptable animal (sheep, goat, camel, or cow) do so and then divide the flesh equally among themselves, the poor, and friends and neighbors.
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