Also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha is a significant religious holiday in the Islamic world, marked by communal prayers, festive meals, and acts of charity. This year, Palestinians are observing the celebration amidst rubble and in front of demolished mosques.
Muslims celebrate and remember the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim as an indication of his surrender to God's will. These ceremonies take place all across the world. His faith and loyalty to Allah, so the narrative goes, were put to the test when he was told to sacrifice his son Ishmael.
Ibrahim was willing to follow God's instructions and kill his beloved son, even though he was extremely old when God bestowed his sole son upon him. This was an act of faith and obedience to God. But at the same moment of sacrifice, Allah substituted a lamb for Ishmael.
Ibrahim was willing to follow God's instructions and kill his beloved son, even though he was extremely old when God bestowed his sole son upon him. This was an act of faith and obedience to God. But at the same moment of sacrifice, Allah substituted a lamb for Ishmael.
Therefore, animal sacrifices are a significant component of the festivities. A family that donates an animal consumes some meat, with the remainder going to the underprivileged and those in need. Muslims usually visit relatives or exchange presents and sweets on these festive days.
Despite the Israeli-Palestine conflict, people in the Gaza Strip celebrate holy days.
On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed, and some 240 others were abducted during the attack.
On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed, and some 240 others were abducted during the attack.
Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 37,000 people have been killed by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, local authorities said.