Aidil Adha Celebration in Kuala Lumpur

by CJCM on January 1st, 2007

Yesterday was a big day for all Moslems especially for those who are performing their pilgrimage in Mecca. Aidil Adha is one of the most significant religious events in Islam, which takes place on the 10th Day of Zulhijah, the last month of the Muslim calendar. The festival is celebrated in conjunction with the pilgrimages performed by Muslims, called the Haj and to commemorate Prophet Abraham’s spirit of Qurban or sacrifice. In Malaysia, Hari Raya Aidil Adha is also known as Hari Raya Haji or Hari Raya Qurban.

There is a history behind the Qurban ritual which is well written in the Quran, the Holybook of Islam. The Qurban is the act of remembrance of Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his elder son, Ismail, when God commanded him to do so as a test of his commitment to his faith. After both the son and the father faithfully agreed to execute the God’s order, Ismail had been miraculously replaced by a ram. The tradition then continues where Moslems, who can afford, are encouraged to sacrifice a lamb, goat, cow or even camel for the same reason.

After Aidil Adha prayers, Muslims conduct the Qurban by slaughtering the sacrificial animals. The meat is distributed to the poor and the needy, as well as friends and relatives, while keeping a third for the family. It is also customary for Muslims to visit their parents, relatives and friends to renew relationships and seek forgiveness for their wrong doings in the past.

Here at my residence, a group of residents including myself had also perform Qurban this year and a cow was sacrificed. I publish some of the photos during the ritual here and I hope for those who are new to Islam would find the information both educational and interesting. Allahuakhbar….God is Great.

Read more about Haj and Eid Adha at [BBC School], [REOnline], [About.com]

The sacrificial cow