Islamic holiday falls on black Friday

This Thanksgiving weekend is extra special for Muslims around the world. It marks the celebration of Islam’s second major holiday, Eid al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice.
The Islamic Society of North America expects this year’s Eid al-Adha to be on Friday, Nov. 27. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar calendar, which is why ISNA determines the holiday’s date by astronomical calculations.
Eid al-Adha celebrates the Muslim belief of Prophet Abraham’s submission and obedience when God told him to sacrifice his beloved son Ishmael, according to statements from Al-Huda International Welfare Foundation. It also celebrates God’s mercy in saving Ishmael from being sacrificed.
According to Al-Huda International, Muslims who can afford it sacrifice an animal on Eid al-Adha to commemorate the love and submission they have for God through the feelings of sacrifice. They then distribute the food among family, friends and the poor.
All Muslims attend a prayer and sermon on Eid. But Islam has followers from all backgrounds and cultures who celebrate the rest of the day in different ways.
Aishah Gulam, second year political science major at Wayne State, celebrates the holiday by holding an open house with her family.
“Since our neighborhood has many Muslim families, people go house-hopping,” she said.
The Gulams have been having Eid open houses for 12 years. It’s given them plenty of time to develop family traditions.
“My mom always makes sawaiyan,” Gulam said. “It’s a sweet Indian dish of vermicelli boiled with milk and sugar.”
Eid day makes for an inviting atmosphere at the Gulam’s. They have an open invitation, which keeps them busy until the late hours of the night.
“People we don’t even know will come over,” Gulam said.
Mansoor Siddiqui, third year bio-chemistry major, also likes to take Eid day off to celebrate with his family. He also celebrates Eid by helping to plan Eid events held by WSU’s Muslim Students’ Association.
Siddiqui is currently vice president of the MSA and previously served as Brothers’ Events Committee member and treasurer.
“Right now, we’re planning brothers’ and sisters’ events for Eid,” Siddiqui said.
Since this Eid coincides with Thanksgiving break, Muslim families will have more time to spend together and a chance to plan more elaborate festivities.
 

5 comments

Teresa

Thu Nov 26 2009 07:10

I am a first grade teacher in the Virginia Beach, VA public schools and I am not Muslim. One of my students told me she was Muslim yesterday and celebrating a holiday on Friday. I want to have some back ground information when I offer her a chance to tell me about her holiday when we come back on Monday. This article was perfect. Thank you.

MuslimLover

Wed Nov 25 2009 20:24

Cool article, thanks for the info on this great holiday.

Khizran Ali

Fri Nov 20 2009 22:19

yahhhh!!!!! for EID!! lol and for you as well ;) soon you'll be writing for Times/National Geographic!!!!

Aishah Gulam

Thu Nov 19 2009 02:26

you are such an amazing reporter! thank you for including me in this incredible article!

Aishamalek

Thu Nov 19 2009 01:54

What a lovely article! Really nice for the times!

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