Muslims all over Puerto Princesa City and the province of Palawan gathered early Sunday morning to mark the Islamic holiday Eid’l Adha or Feast of Sacrifice with special messages and prayers to honor prophet Abraham.
Eid’l Adha is one of the two most important holidays to Muslims, the other one being Eid’l Fitr or the Festival of Breaking the Fast.
Uztad Ibrahim Abdulkarim said Monday that Eid’l Adha is one of the essential pillars of the Islamic faith that honors their prophet Abraham for sacrificing his son in obedience to Allah’s commandment.
Before the act was carried out, however, Allah provided an animal instead for the ritual, he said.
Abdulkarim said that to follow the tradition in the present, Muslims offer cows, sheep, goats, and lambs during the celebration.
“Tuwing sumasapit ang kalendaryo ng Islam na Dhul Hajji ay isinasagawa ang Eid’l Adha, ibig sabihin mag-alay tayo ng kamelyo kung meron o baka, tupa, kambing ay mag-alay tayo. Pag-alaala ito kay propeta Abraham sa kanyang kasaysayan sa Mecca,” he said.
He added that those who are physically and financially capable travel to Mecca to celebrate. It is a holy site in the Hejazi region of Saudi Arabia where Muslims go on pilgrims and worship to renew their sense of purpose.
Abdulkarim said going on pilgrimage is very important in their faith.
“Napakahalaga nyan dahil kung ikaw ay isang Muslim na may kakayahan at malakas na pangangatawan ay maka-pilgrimage ka dahil ‘yan ay katumbas ng parang pinanganak ka uli kapag ikaw ay makarating sa Mecca,” he said.
