Muslims Will Be Celebrating Eid Al Adha This Year In Circumstances That No One Had Predicted

Millions of Muslims would have been gathering in Mecca, taking part in completing one of the important pillars of Islam, performing Hajj. This is an important practice for able-bodied Muslims to perform at least once in their lifetime. Mecca is a place where 2.5 million from across the globe usually attend. This year due to Covid 19 Mecca has had to dramatically downsize and has limited attendance to 10,000 people who are already residing in the kingdom, as Saudi Arabia tries to prevent any outbreaks of coronavirus during the pilgrimage.

Precautions will be taken by wearing masks and adhering to social distancing whilst performing the rituals.

After the Hajj, Muslims celebrate Eid Al Adha known as the Festival of Sacrifice. Muslims remember Ibrahim's loyalty and obedience. As a symbol of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, Muslims will, if they can afford it, will sacrifice a goat, cow, or sheep and share this out amongst the community or give to those less fortunate by providing food on the special day.

Many Muslims, including the local Mosque in Craven, will be making special efforts to do Salah (prayer) and have also been preparing for the special Eid Sermon taking place on 31st July. Covid-19 precautions are being taken and the local community have been informed to complete a registration form to attend any daily Salah (prayer) and also online for Eid prayer. Members of the Muslim community have been given a rota of tasks to ensure that everyone is safe, to do temperature checks as well as to bring their own prayer mat and adhere to social distancing.

Families will celebrate Eid by dressing up in new clothes and creating special Eid dishes. Eid Al-Adha is often celebrated by serving meat pilau rice, lamb/mutton curries, meat samosas and lots of wonderful deserts.

Eid is also a special time for the children as they are given gifts and also money.