Idul Adha: Feast of the Sacrifice, a significant festival

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The people of Bali belong to different ethnic groups and religions, and there is a strong Muslim community in this Indonesian island. In Bali as in Islamic communities around the world the Muslim faithful observe a number of special practices at this esteemed time of the year. Idul Adha falls during the time of the conclusion of the yearly Haj pilgrimage to the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia which is a fundamental element of Islam.

At this time extensive prayer sessions are conducted in mosques as well as open spaces throughout the island. Sacrificing animals is a traditional part of the Idul Adha celebrations. Cows, goats and sheep are commonly sacrificed and a portion of the meat is donated to the poor and less fortunate. Idul Adha is a time of joy and reflection as Muslims commemorate the piety and faith of the prophet Ibrahim. The occasion is a public holiday throughout Indonesia and visitors will have the opportunity to observe and involve themselves in the festivities.

The Idul Adha Festival is steeped in Islamic tradition and is one of the most important events for Muslims. Islamic tradition states that Ibrahim, one of the religion’s prophets, was tested by God in a trial of faith and obedience. The apple of this prophet’s eye was his young son Ishmael, whom he loved greatly. Ibrahim experienced a persistent dream in which God instructed him to sacrifice Ishmael. However just as he was about to carry out this command, God spared Ishmael’s life and provided a ram as an alternative sacrifice. The Idul Adha festival commemorates the piety and obedience of Ibrahim and his son Ishmael.

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+