18. The Feast of the Sacrifice.

It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him. Quran 22:37

There's an upcoming, big holiday in Turkey: Eid al-Adha. The Feast of the Sacrifice. The Arabic word "Eid" means festival and the word "Adha" means sacrifice. That's when we're heading to Malta (more on that in an upcoming blog). Anyway, here are the particulars on this important national holiday, and insight into why we'll be going on vacation!

Although Ramazan is probably the best known Islamic celebration, it's only a small part of a wider period of festivities taking place every year in places as diverse as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Mauritius. Dubbed the "Islamic Christmas," Eid al-Adha is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice everything for God, including the life of his son Ishmael. Because God spared Ishmael, substituting a sheep in his place, Muslims observe this occasion by slaughtering an animal.

Muslim boy in India with a festive goat for the holiday.

Note the quote at the beginning--the sacrifice itself is not related to atoning for sins or using the blood to wash themselves from sin, but rather as a way to reach God. The meat is divided into three equal parts. The family retains one third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends, and neighbors; and the other third is given to the poor and needy. Because of this tradition, many poor Muslims are able to enjoy the unusual luxury of eating meat during the days of the festival.

A Muslim boy attends a prayer session in celebration
of the Eid al-Adha festival. Manila, Philippines. (Reuters)

Everyone is expected to dress in their finest clothing and to perform Eid prayer in a large congregation in an open field or mosque. It's traditional that parents buy new outfits for their children and give the old clothes to the poor. Then the children usually wear their new clothes throughout the festival.

A Yemeni girl wearing a new dress as she stands in an alley
of the old city, on the first day of Eid al-Adha.
Sanaa, Yemen. Muhammed Muheisen/AP

The Feast takes place roughly 70 days after the end of Ramazan, and the festival lasts four and a half days. The festival's eve is the half day to prepare for the four days of festivities. This holiday is about charity and community. During these four+ days, people are constantly on the move visiting family and friends; family ties get strengthened and children are given an opportunity to bond with the older generations. I hear it's a lot like our Christmas from the standpoint of family time and traveling to and fro to visit everyone, eat, drink, and be merry.

Indonesian mother and daughter celebrating the holiday.

But, back to the animals. In the not so distant past, a butcher or the head of the family would perform the sacrifice in the garden or street. That practice is now prohibited by law. Today, special mobile slaughter houses are installed throughout the city where trained butchers will kill, clean, and package the meat at the request of the families. Right! Well, I've heard tell of non-natives making an unexpected turn down a street where sacrifices were being performed. While I can respect the tradition and meaning, no thanks on sticking around Turkey for this holiday! We'll be soaking up some history in Malta instead. xx