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Turkey’s Muslims welcome another Eid al-Adha

Türkiye Materials 25 October 2012 13:44 (UTC +04:00)
Turkey’s Muslims welcome another Eid al-Adha
Turkey’s Muslims welcome another Eid al-Adha
Muslims in Turkey on Thursday welcomed the four-day Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) with millions of people paying visits to loved ones and many others slaughtering animals as a reminder of the prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael to God as an act of obedience and submission Today`s Zaman reported.

Eid al-Adha is Arabic for Feast of the Sacrifice (in Turkish, Kurban Bayramı) and is one of two holidays on the Islamic calendar, starting on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah each year.

For many, Eid al-Adha holiday began at the mosques for the special Eid prayer that takes place after sunrise. Following this, animals were slaughtered. A section of the meat is distributed to the poor along with other charitable donations, as per Islamic tradition. While many visited their families on this special occasion, many others prefer taking vacations in popular tourist destinations.

As in previous years, many citizens who attempted to slaughter animals themselves were rushed to hospitals after they hurt themselves. Many of the amateur butchers were released after short medical attention in hospitals but some are still being kept under observation.

This year, the Muslim world will observe the start of Eid al-Adha on three different dates.

The Eid began on Thursday in Turkey as well as several Balkan nations, including Macedonia and Albania. Yet the most favored date for the start of the feast is Friday, when Saudi Arabia begins to observe the Eid. Recently, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh announced that the Eid begins on Saturday in their countries.

Kosovo recently changed the date for the start of the Eid from Thursday to Friday. Apart from Kosovo, other Balkan states to celebrate the feast starting on Friday include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia.

Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate earlier suggested that a common calendar should be formed for the entire Muslim world.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the Eid in İstanbul this year while President Abdullah Gul was in Ankara. Both leaders expressed hope that Eid brings wellness to the country and the world.

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