May Allah bless you in all things and help those who are concerned and in need of His help and mercy. Happy holiday!
Eid al-Adha. The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) is celebrated in Turkey and Northern Cyprus as a state holiday. These days are considered days off. The date of this celebration is determined using the Islamic lunar calendar, shifting constantly. According to the centuries-old traditions, this significant day comes 10 weeks after Eid al-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr).
History of Eid al-Adha
The holiday is based on the ancient story of Ibrahim and his son Ismail. And in the Old Testament (in Christianity) there is a similar story in the chapter about Abraham and Isaac. According to legend, Ibrahim and his wife did not have children for a long time and he asked Allah to give them a child. In one of the fervent prayers offered to the Lord, Abraham promised that he would be ready to sacrifice the firstborn when God willed it, if a boy was born. Allah heeded Ibrahim’s pleas and the long-awaited baby finally appeared in the family. But after a few years, the Angel Gabriel said that the time had come for Ibrahim to fulfill his vow (promise) to sacrifice his son. And thus to confirm the inviolability of his faith and the firmness of his promise. To fulfill the will of Allah, Ibrahim and Ismail came to the town of Mina, located near Mecca. Suddenly, before performing the ritual, the Angel held his father’s hand with a knife.
And he gave him the lamb, which was sacrificed in Ishmael’s place. And the Almighty then said that He believed the words of Ibrahim.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
In 1928, Turkey’s first president, Atatürk, imposed restrictions on manifestations of belonging to a particular religion. And since then, Turkey has been a secular state. If you have ever been to this country, then religiosity is not striking. Compared, for example, in Saudi Arabia or Iran. Nevertheless, religious holidays are still widely celebrated here and have a significant impact on the culture, mentality and daily life of ordinary citizens.
Holiday traditions
According to tradition, a month before the arrival of Eid al-Adha, Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca – the Hajj. And the final moment is the sacrifice to the Almighty – a ram, a cow or a camel. Of course, not all believers have the opportunity to perform the Hajj. In this case, the entire difficult rite of sacrifice is performed by them at home. And the rules for sacrificing livestock are regulated by the Koran.
Towns and villages
The celebrations in the countryside are very impressive. There, many Muslims have the opportunity to slaughter an animal intended for sacrifice according to all the rules. In big cities, for obvious reasons, it is very difficult to do this, but many city dwellers find a way out by visiting friends and relatives living in the villages for the days of celebrations. The concerns of the holiday related to the preparation for the sacrifice begin long before it begins. For example, you need to choose a sheep or a cow at the market. And that’s not all… The animal must be young, well-fed and absolutely healthy, without any visible defects. In some Cypriot provinces, colorful rites have developed that precede the slaughter. The ram can be thoroughly washed, dyed with henna or decorated with colorful ribbons. Each house is supposed to buy at least one ram. If there is not enough money, it is allowed to buy in a pool.
Interesting facts about the holiday
- Eid al-Adha represents worship
- The word kurban in Kazakh, Kipchak, Turkish, Uzbek and other languages means “sacrifice”, “sacrifice”
- The meat of the sacrificial animal is divided into three parts: for the poor, another part for relatives, and the third for oneself
- Eid al-Adha begins to be celebrated after sunset on the eve of the day of sacrifice
- On the days of the holiday, it is customary to distribute alms and give gifts
Afterword…
In addition to the religious context, the holiday also has a social subtext. It gives people an additional opportunity to communicate closely with elderly family members or see friends once again. Even if you have nothing to do with religion. It’s always interesting to experience a new culture and unwind a little. But for those who want to change their lives in a coordinated way. Buy a property for a summer cottage and often come to Northern Cyprus. Or, for example, move to a permanent place of residence in the TRNC. Our company “Veles Enterprises” is always open for you. We will be able to advise you, orient you on the terrain, tell you the laws and traditions of a small island. Contact! Write to us by mail or on social networks…
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Source: Veles Enterprises Article prepared by: Valerii Veles
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