Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha, Feast of the Sacrifice, is an Islamic holiday honoring the willingness of Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God's command. As Abraham was getting ready to complete the deed, God replaced Ishmael with a sheep. In commemoration of this, Muslims sacrifice an animal (usually goat, sheep, or cow) and divide the meat into three parts: one third for the family, another third for relatives, friends and neighbors, and the remaining third for those in need. Muslims begin the day of Eid with congregational prayer, followed by the sacrifice, gathering with family, friends, and community, and gift-giving.