Eid al-Adha: A global celebration of faith and sacrifice

Dipak Kurmi

(The writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com.)

As the Islamic calendar ush-ers in another year of spir-itual significance, Muslims  around the world prepare to celebrate Eid al-Adha, a cornerstone of Islamic tradition that embodies sacrifice, faith, and community. In 2025, this revered festival holds a special resonance, coinciding with key moments in the Islamic lunar calendar and uniting over 1.8 billion Muslims in a shared expression of devotion. This article explores the intricacies of Eid al-Adha in 2025, addressing its dates, historical context, global celebrations, and the profound differences that set it apart from its counterpart, Eid al-Fitr, while shedding light on the cyclical nature of Islamic holidays and their deep cultural impact.

Eid al-Adha in 2025 is set to begin on the evening of Friday, June 6, and conclude on the evening of Monday, June 9, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon. This date aligns with the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, as confirmed by announcements from religious authorities in Saudi Arabia and echoed by posts on X from users like Markazul ilm LiNisaa Wa Banaat and Khaleej Times. The festival traditionally spans three to four days, known as the Tashreeq days, during which celebrations continue with communal prayers, feasts, and acts of charity. The Day of Arafah, a pivotal moment during the Hajj pilgrimage, precedes Eid al-Adha on June 5, marking a day of reflection and supplication for Muslims worldwide.

Reflecting on the previous year, Eid al-Adha was observed on June 16, 2024, a date that indeed differs from this year’s schedule. This shift is a hallmark of the Islamic calendar, which operates on a lunar system rather than the solar-based Gregorian calendar. The lunar calendar, comprising approximately 354 days, is about 10 to 12 days shorter than its solar counterpart, causing Islamic holidays like Eid al-Adha to occur earlier each year on the Gregorian calendar. This fundamental difference, as noted in sources like Time Out Dubai, ensures that the dates of Eid al-Adha and other Islamic observances are not fixed but rather tied to the sighting of the new moon, a practice that varies by region and local religious authorities. For instance, while Saudi Arabia may confirm the start of Dhu al-Hijjah on May 28, 2025, countries like India and Pakistan might sight the moon a day later, potentially celebrating Eid on June 7, as highlighted in Hindustan Times.

The question of why these dates differ annually delves deeper into the mechanics of the Islamic lunar calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, the Islamic calendar relies on the phases of the moon, a system that has been in place since the time of the Prophet Muhammad. The sighting of the crescent moon on the 29th day of the preceding month, Dhu al-Qaadah, determines the start of Dhu al-Hijjah and, subsequently, the date of Eid al-Adha. This lunar dependency, coupled with regional variations in moon sighting practices, means that the exact date of Eid can vary slightly across the globe. In the United States, for example, Muslim communities may celebrate on different days depending on their adherence to local or Saudi moon sightings, as explained by timeanddate.com. This fluidity underscores the communal and spiritual nature of the festival, as Muslims await the moon’s appearance with anticipation and unity.

Eid al-Adha, often referred to as the “Festival of Sacrifice” or the “Greater Eid”, holds profound significance in Islam. It commemorates the unwavering faith of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who, according to Islamic tradition, was commanded by Allah in a dream to sacrifice his son, believed to be Ismail (Ishmael) in the Islamic narrative. As Ibrahim prepared to fulfil this divine command, Allah intervened, replacing Ismail with a ram, honouring Ibrahim’s obedience and devotion. This story, also known as the Akedah in Judaism, is recounted in the Quran’s 37th surah, As-Saaffat, and serves as a reminder of the virtues of submission, sacrifice, and trust in Allah. Eid al-Adha also marks the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which sees around 2 million Muslims annually converge on the holy city to perform rituals like the tawaf around the Ka’bah and the stoning of the devil, as detailed by BBC Bitesize and Wikipedia.

The celebration of Eid al-Adha is a vibrant tapestry of rituals and traditions that reflect its deep spiritual roots. Muslims begin the day with a special congregational prayer, Salat al-Eid, performed shortly after sunrise, often in open fields or mosques. This prayer, consisting of two rakats with additional takbirs (declarations of “Allahu Akbar”), is followed by a sermon emphasising themes of sacrifice and compassion. A central ritual of Eid al-Adha is the qurbani, or animal sacrifice, which commemorates Ibrahim’s act. Families who can afford to do so slaughter a sheep, goat, cow, or camel, dividing the meat into three portions: one for the family, one for friends and relatives, and one for the poor, ensuring that the less fortunate are included in the festivities. In countries like the UK and the US, where slaughtering at home may be restricted, Muslims often arrange for the sacrifice through licensed abattoirs or donate to charities like Muslim Hands USA to distribute meat globally, as noted by Islamic Relief UK and Orphans in Need.

Beyond the sacrifice, Eid al-Adha is a time of joy and connection. Muslims don their finest clothes, often new garments, and exchange greetings of “Eid Mubarak”, meaning “Blessed Eid”. Families gather for festive meals featuring savoury dishes like biryani, kebabs, and haleem, earning Eid al-Adha the nickname “Salty Eid”, in contrast to the “Sweet Eid” of Eid al-Fitr, which focuses on desserts. In the Middle East, traditional sweets like ma’amoul and qatayef are enjoyed, while in Pakistan, children receive Eidi—money or gifts from elders. Cultural practices vary globally: in Afghanistan, women apply henna, and in African nations, friends exchange gifts, as highlighted by Wikipedia. These celebrations promote a sense of brotherhood, generosity, and gratitude, aligning with the festival’s core values.

Eid al-Adha is celebrated by Muslims worldwide, encompassing a diverse global community of over 1.8 billion people. From the 3 million Muslims in the US to the millions in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Indonesia, the festival transcends borders, uniting believers in a shared expression of faith. In Muslim-majority countries, it is a public holiday, often lasting several days, while in places like the UK and the US, Muslims may take annual leave to observe the occasion, as noted by timeanddate.com. The festival’s universal appeal lies in its emphasis on universal human values—sacrifice, charity, and family—making it a deeply inclusive celebration.

Earlier this year, on March 30, 2025, Muslims celebrated Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. This earlier Eid, often called the “Smaller Eid”, differs significantly from Eid al-Adha in both purpose and practice. Eid al-Fitr, meaning “Festival of Breaking the Fast”, is a joyous occasion that rewards Muslims for completing a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It lasts one to three days, depending on the country, and begins with the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of Shawwal, the tenth Islamic month. Unlike Eid al-Adha, where eating is delayed until after the prayer and sacrifice, Eid al-Fitr encourages Muslims to eat a small sweet meal, often dates, before the prayer, symbolising the breaking of the fast. Additionally, Eid al-Fitr involves paying Zakat al-Fitr, a form of charity to support the poor, whereas Eid al-Adha focuses on the qurbani, as explained by Islamic Relief UK and Muslim Aid.

The differences between the two Eids extend beyond rituals to their spiritual significance. Eid al-Fitr celebrates personal discipline and gratitude for completing Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha honours Ibrahim’s profound act of obedience and the completion of Hajj, making it the holier of the two festivals in religious terms. While both involve communal prayers, festive meals, and charity, Eid al-Adha’s emphasis on sacrifice and its connection to Hajj give it a distinct gravitas, often referred to as the “Greater Eid”. These distinctions, as noted by ABC News, highlight the complementary nature of the two Eids, each reinforcing different aspects of Islamic faith and practice.

As Eid al-Adha 2025 approaches, its significance resonates deeply in a world seeking unity and compassion. Whether through the shared meat of qurbani, the communal prayers, or the global gatherings during Hajj, the festival serves as a powerful reminder of the values that bind humanity—faith, generosity, and sacrifice. For Muslims worldwide, June 6, 2025, will be a day to reflect on Ibrahim’s legacy, strengthen community ties, and extend kindness to those in need, embodying the timeless spirit of Eid al-Adha.