On Friday, June 6, American Muslims plan to mark the beginning of the three-day holiday celebrating the end of the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca, called Hajj, with communal prayers and festivities at locations around the Bay Area. The prayers and the holiday that follows Hajj are called Eid al-Adha (EED-al-ODD-ha), or “festival of the sacrifice.”
Eid al-Adha, commonly referred to as just “Eid,” commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail at God’s command. Muslims celebrate the holiday with prayers, small gifts for children, distribution of meat to the needy, and social gatherings. They also exchange the greeting “Eid Mubarak” or “blessed Eid.” Last year, nearly two million Muslims, including thousands of American Muslims, performed Hajj.
- WHEN: Friday, June 6. Prayers are held in the morning. Many communities also hold day-long Eid festivals for families. Consult local mosques for timing.
- WHERE: Eid prayers and festivals are held either in mosques or in public facilities designed to accommodate large gatherings. Consult local mosques for locations.
- PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Eid prayers themselves are quite visual, with worshipers arranged in neat rows and bowing in prayer in unison. Participants exchange embraces at the conclusion of the prayers. Many places of prayer organize children’s activities.
[NOTE: Because this is a religious service, reporters and photographers of both sexes should dress modestly. Photographers should arrive early to get into position for the best images and are advised to seek permission for close-up shots and not to step directly in front of worshipers. Shots of shoes removed for prayer and rear-angle shots of prostrating worshipers are considered inappropriate.]
HAJJ BACKGROUNDER
In the Quran, Islam’s revealed text, God says:
“Thus We settled Abraham at the site of the House (Ka’aba) (saying): ‘Do not associate anything with Me, and purify My house for those who walk around it, and those who stand there (praying), and those who bow down on their knees in worship. Proclaim the pilgrimage among mankind: they will come to you on foot and on every lean (beast of burden); Let them come from every deep ravine, to bear witness to the advantages they have, and to mention God’s name on appointed days.” Chapter 22, Verses 26-28
Hajj is one of the “five pillars” of the Islamic faith. (The other pillars include a declaration of faith, daily prayers, offering regular charity, and fasting during the month of Ramadan.) Pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey.
When the main portion of the pilgrimage is completed, Muslims worldwide gather for communal prayers on the first day of Eid al-Adha.
The obligatory and optional activities of Hajj include:
- Entrance into a state of self-control called “ihram,” during which pilgrims are forbidden to harm living creatures, even insects or plants, or raise the voice in anger. The state of ihram is signified (for men) by the wearing of two pieces of unsewn white cloth. This clothing signifies the equality of all before God. No specific clothing is prescribed for female pilgrims.
- Circling (“Tawaf”) of the “Ka’aba,” the stone building Muslims believe was originally built by Abraham and his son Ismail. The Ka’aba is viewed as the first sanctuary on earth dedicated to the worship of the One God. It is a symbol of unity for Muslims because all prayers, wherever they are performed, are oriented in the direction of the Ka’aba.
- The “Sa’i,” or “hastening” between two small hills near the Ka’aba to commemorate Hagar’s search for water to offer her son Ismail.
- The “Day of Arafah.” Arafah is a mountain and its surrounding empty plain near Mecca. On this day, the climax of the Hajj season, pilgrims assemble for supplication to God.
- The stoning of three pillars representing Satan’s temptation of Abraham. The stoning indicates the pilgrim’s rejection of evil deeds.
- Cutting the hair to symbolize the completion of Hajj.
- Sacrifice of an animal in remembrance of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail at God’s command. A portion of the meat is distributed to relatives and to the needy.
