Eid al-Adha [The Festival of the Sacrifice]

The Festival of the Sacrifice [Eid al-Adha] is one of two major Islamic
celebrations and takes place on the tenth day of the Islamic month
Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar in which millions
of Muslims from around the world make an annual pilgrimage to Mecca in
order to worship Allah and to commemorate the willingness of the
Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail in response to a command
from God. Satisfied with Ibraham's devotion, God replaced Ismail with
a sheep at the last second, and the sheep was slaughtered instead.
While pilgrims in Mecca re-enact this scene by slaughtering sheep of
their own, Muslims who can afford it in the rest of the world also
participate in this rite by slaughtering sheep, camels and cows. One
third of the meat is distributed to the poor, one third to neighbors
and relatives while one third is kept by the person who offered the
sacrifice for use within his or her own family.

India is home to approximately 150 million Muslims who celebrate the
Eid in the same way as their non-Indian brothers and sisters in faith.
It is a very happy time which is marked by special prayers, visits to
family and friends, gifts to children and, of course by food. For many
families, it may be one of the few times during the year that they have
the opportunity to enjoy meat, and only the best dishes are served.

Eid al-Adha or Feast of Sacrifice is the most important feast of the
Muslim calendar. It concludes the Pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Adha
lasts for three days and commemorates Ibraham's willingness to obey
God by sacrificing his son. Muslims believe the son to be Ismail rather
than Isaac as told in the Old Testament. Ismail is considered the
forefather of the Arabs.
According to the Holy Koran, Ibraham was about to sacrifice his son
when a voice from heaven stopped him and allowed him to sacrifice a ram instead.

The feast re-enacts Ibraham's obedience by sacrificing a cow or ram.
The family eats about a third of the meal and donates the rest to the poor.

Allah Malik