Eid al Adha better known as the festival of sacrifice is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims all over the world. The holiday remembers the readiness of Ibrahim to surrender his son Ismail as an act of submission to GOD.
Based on the Muslim lunar calendar, Eid al Adha falls on the 10th day of the month, Dhul Hijja or November 26/27 of the traditional Gregorian calendar year. The festival lasts for 2-4 days depending on which Arabic country one resides. Typically Eid al Adha occurs the day after the pilgrims carrying out Hajj descend from mount Arafat. It typically happens to be about 70 days after the end of the fasting month, Ramadan.
During the Eid festival, all Muslims are expected to dress in their best clothing and appear for prayers at the local mosques. For those who can afford it, lamb, camel, goat or cows are sacrificed as a sign of Ibrahim’s surrender. The religious holiday also encourages charity to ensure that no other Muslim is left without food or clothing during these 3 days. Like Christmas, gifts are exchanged and there is plenty to eat.
This year Eid al Adha is expected to fall on November 27, 2009. The precise date cannot be forecast ahead of time because of the flexible nature of the Islamic lunar calendar. Estimates are based on the anticipated visibility of the crescent shaped moon following a new moon.