Rabat – Saudi Arabia and the UAE are expected to celebrate Eid Al Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, either on June 16 or June 17, according to astronomical calculation.
Gulf Business reported on the news, stating that the Eid is expected to fall on June 17 the UAE and run until June 19, giving the Gulf country’s residents “who don’t work on Saturdays a five day break, with offices re-opening on Thursday, June 20.”
Saudi Arabia in addition to several other countries, like Morocco, are also expected to celebrate the feast on June 17.
The exact date will be announced, however, through the moon sighting for Dhul Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic calendar.
This feast of sacrifice is one of the holiest events in Islam.
During the festival, Muslims sacrifice a sheep, lamb, goat, or a cow, in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail at the behest of God.
Traditions for celebrating the Eid are different from one region to another. In the morning of Eid Al Adha, Muslims wearing traditional clothes flock to mosques to perform Salat El Eid (the Eid prayers) before joining back with their families to kick off celebrations.
The Eid festivities start after the slaughtering of the sacrificial livestock, usually a sheep, and the event continues with families gathering around tables full of delicious food and dishes.
Dhu al-Hijja also marks the month in which the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) takes place.
