Thousands of Muslims came together in Calgary on June 28 to celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the major holidays in the Islamic calendar.
At Baitun-Nur Mosque Ahmadiyya Jamaat in northeast Calgary, worshippers – including many from Airdrie – gathered to commemorate the occasion in group prayer.
Eid al-Adha, also known as the feast of sacrifice, revolves around the story of Ibrahim, who received a divine command from Allah in a dream. In the dream, according to the Qu'ran, Ibrahim was instructed to sacrifice his beloved son, Ismail. Initially hesitant, Ibrahim's unwavering faith led him to comply with the command. However, as Ibrahim prepared for the sacrifice, a miraculous intervention took place, and a ram appeared in place of Ismail.
Imam Salman Yousaf, from Airdrie, highlighted the significance of this event to the religion of Islam, emphasizing the remarkable faith and obedience displayed by Ibrahim and Ismail in fulfilling Allah's test. Yousaf urged everyone to uphold and obey the divine commands of God Almighty.
Eid al-Adha holds great importance for Muslims as one of their two major annual holidays, the other being Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. This year, Eid al-Fitr was celebrated on April 21 and 22.
The dates for Eid festivities vary each year due to the lunar calendar.
As Imam Yousaf explained, Eid al-Adha symbolizes the culmination of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Hajj.
“All the Muslims celebrate a month of Hajj, which is performed in Mecca where there is a sacrifice that is necessary,” he said.
On this special day, Muslims observe a significant tradition by sacrificing an animal, typically a goat, sheep, or cow. The meat from the sacrificial animal is then shared amongst neighbours, family members, and those in need as an act of generosity and compassion.
The feast of sacrifice occurs approximately 10 weeks after Eid al-Fitr and signifies the completion of this sacred journey to the Islamic holy sites in Saudi Arabia.
“This is a celebration that takes place every year," explained Yousaf. “We offer the celebration and prayer in remembrance of the completion of the Hajj pilgrimage."
Baitun-Nur Mosque Ahhmadiya Jamat, one of Canada's largest mosques, has the capacity to accommodate more than 3,000 worshippers. It serves as a central gathering place for the Calgary-area Muslim community to come together, pray, and celebrate Eid al-Adha.
The festive atmosphere and spirit of unity were palpable as families and friends joined in prayer and shared joyful moments. Eid al-Adha serves as a reminder for Muslims of the importance of faith, sacrifice, and obedience to God's commands.
“Everything you see here is from volunteers,” Yousaf said. “We have doctors, architects and lawyers that come to volunteer their time with us.”
As the group prayer concluded, the faithful left the mosque with hearts full of gratitude and a sense of fulfillment, carrying the essence of Eid al-Adha with them as they returned to their daily lives, inspired by the story of Ibrahim and Ismail, and the lessons they imparted.
