Eid in Egypt
Eid al-Adha means "the Festival of the Sacrifice," and is a major festival in the Islamic year. It is celebrated at the end of the Hajj, which is 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 just about to complete the action, Allah revealed that the sacrifice had already been given by Abraham's faith. Abraham proved that love for the Almighty was everything to Abraham since he had been willing to lay down his life and the life 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 that are close to their hearts to follow the commands of Allah above all else. Also, it signifies helping the needy and sharing with those who are in need, which is one of the main pillars of Islam.
Like any other celebration in Egypt, Eid al-Adha is marked with a special meal, which is all about meat. On this day, Egyptians eat meat for breakfast in the form of meat cubes or stir-fried liver. This is accompanied by Fatta, which is rice toasted with tomato sauce and bread chips.
Meat is also eaten at lunch and dinner. If breakfast is missed then meat cubes and Fatta are eaten obligatorily for lunch. Other Egyptian dishes which can accompany the main ones are 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 an important thing for every society to promote mutual understanding and harmony between all. A healthy and sound social life can be obtained if people learn to live in a cohesive bond together. 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 in fostering 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 come together who may have never got time during the entire year previously.
Eid al-Adha in Egypt is a time of family reunion, 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.
