Eid in Egypt
Eid al-Adha means "the Festival of the Sacrifice" and is a significant festival in the Islamic year. It is celebrated at the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Adha is celebrated by Muslims all across the globe, including in Egypt.
The event honors the trial and triumph of the Prophet Abraham. One of the main trials was when he was commanded by Allah (God) to kill his son. After hearing this command, Abraham got ready to do what God demanded. When he was about to complete the action, Allah revealed that Abraham's faith had already given the sacrifice. Abraham proved that love for the Almighty was everything to him since he had been willing to lay down his life and the lives of his loved ones if God said so.
When celebrating Eid al-Adha, Muslims honor and remember the trials of Abraham and his love for God and thus slaughter an animal like a camel, sheep, or goat. The meat obtained from this sacrifice is distributed to others, especially those in need, and only one-third of the portion is kept by the family. The sacrifice denotes the willingness of people to give away things close to their hearts to follow the commands of Allah above all else. Also, it signifies helping the needy and sharing with those in need, which is one of the main pillars of Islam.
Eid al-Adha is marked with a special meat meal like any other Egyptian celebration. Today, Egyptians eat meat for breakfast as meat cubes or stir-fried liver. This is accompanied by Fatta, rice toasted with tomato sauce and bread chips.
Meat is also eaten at lunch and dinner. If breakfast is missed, meat cubes and Fatta are eaten obligatorily for lunch. Another Egyptian dish that can accompany the main ones is Ro’a’, which is crispy dough. It looks like a pie and is filled with minced meat. Another option is the famous lamb cutlets.
Socialization is essential for every society to promote mutual understanding and harmony. A healthy and sound social life can be obtained if people learn to live in a cohesive bond. The gatherings on this day of the festival are an effective way of bringing together these emotions. Eid al-Adha is a festival that helps foster harmony and sanctity among people while conveying a good message to all. One of the best things associated with this event is that on this day, families and friends who may have never had time during the entire year previously come together.
In Egypt, Eid al-Adha is a time for family reunions, wearing new clothes, and helping others. It is all about bringing people together, helping those in need, and sharing a spirit of love for God with everyone around you.
