End of August marked one of two Muslim holidays, Eid Al-Adha

Labor Day weekend is an annual celebration in American history meant to commemorate the dedication to the social and economic achievements of American workers created by the labor movement.

Labor Day is meant to act as a tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of America.

Apart from the Labor Day celebrations over the weekend a worldwide phenomenon taking placec from the dusk of the end of the month on Thursday: Muslims around the globe were beginning to memorialize Eid Al-Adha.

Eid Al-Adha, also known as the “Sacrifice Feast,” is one of two holidays marked by Muslims each year. Eid Al-Adha is an Islamic festival to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Abraham to follow God’s command to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismael.

The Eid celebrations observed annually by Muslims worldwide have various teachings and undertakings all connected in a certain manner. According to the Islamic Lunar Calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th Day of the last month in the calendar. The 9th day of the last month is also of the utmost virtue as this is the Day of Arafah, where

Muslim pilgrims offer supplication, repent and atone for their past sins and seek mercy from God.

This is all done on a granite hill, which is known as Mount Arafah, which is in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The most common greeting on this day of celebration is Eid Mubarak, which is Arabic for “blessed celebration.” Some significant customs also observed on this day include the slaughtering of an animal, offering meat and food to the poor and needy and sharing during the festivities.

The Muslim population at Minnesota State University, Mankato also joined in the observance of Eid, holding a prayer along with a sermon that usually comes after the prayer on the day of Eid. The prayer was held in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom with the turnout for the prayer being formidable. The ceremony was accompanied by light refreshments which were offered in the aftermath of the prayer and sermon. The sermon is one of the most important aspects of the Eid prayer as it focuses on socioeconomic issues facing Muslims in a geographic location, as well as reminding them of the various teachings of Islam.

There are usually two Eid’s celebrated annually by Muslims; the other is Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadhan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. On both Eid days, the prayers and sermons are held early in the morning shortly after the daily morning prayer. Celebrations always tend to bring communities together to share lasting memories as well as add a bit of excitement into people’s lives.

Celebrations are meant to acknowledge important milestones throughout life that carry meaning and are significant to a certain group of people. Celebrations enable people to share in the joy and happiness of the festivity thus creating a positive mindset allowing people to garner ideas for the future. Celebrations should be a key aspect in every individual life as the more one celebrates life, the more there is in life to celebrate.