By Azra Baig and Fakhruddin Ahmed, Special Writers
The Islamic Society of Central Jersey celebrated the Islamic holiday, Eid-ul-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice on Saturday, Oct. 4.
The holiday, Eid-ul-Adha, commemorates Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God’s command, and God’s mercy in sparing Ishmael.
The festival also coincides with the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca which memorializes the event.
Muslims with the means are required to sacrifice an animal, including goats, lambs, cattle and camels on the occasion.
One third of the meat is distributed among the poor, another third to relatives and friends, and the last third is for the family of the person offering the sacrifice.
The Qur’an, Islam’s holy book, says that it is not the meat or the blood of the animal that reaches God, it is the piety of the person who makes the sacrifice that reaches God.
ISCJ held multiple Morning Prayer services on the Eid holiday.
After the prayer services people were seen hugging each other and wishing each other "Eid Mubark" or "Happy Eid".
It was a festive atmosphere with food vendors selling popcorn, cotton candy, balloons and other fun items within the premises.
The rest of the day many people had plans to enjoy the Eid-ul-Adha celebration by either visiting and/or hosting family and friends, and entertaining lavishly with special food prepared for the occasion and exchanging gifts with one another.
Although Muslims enjoy the festivities, the underlying theme of Eid-ul-Adha is sacrifice.
Muslims worldwide commemorate the occasion by donating money to charity and fasting, which is optional, leading up to the day of sacrifice or the Eid-ul-Adha holiday.
