Festivals

• Id-ul-Adha


  The festival of sacrifice. Celebrating the sacrifice Ibrahim (Abraham) was prepared to make.
• Id-ul-Fitr


  The celebration of the end of fasting after Ramadan. It is known as the 'festival of the breaking of the fast.'
• Ashura


  Shi'a Muslims mark the death of Imam Hussein, Muhammad's Grandson, in the battle of Karbala.
• Ibrahim's sacrifice


  1. Ibrahim had a vision that he was to offer Ishmael in a sacrifice

  2. Ibrahim knew that he had to trust Allah's instructions

  3. Ibrahim prepared the sacrifice

  4. The devil tried to tempt Ibrahim not to follow Allah's commands

  5. Ibrahim rejected the devil

  6. Allah saw Ibrahim was willing to go through with the sacrifice so stopped him

  7. Allah had seen that Ibrahim was a truly loyal servant and provided an animal to be sacrificed instead
• Shi'a Muslims believed Hussein to be the rightful leader


  Sunni Muslims believed it was Yazid
• Events leading to Hussein's death


  1. Hussein refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid as he thought he was evil

  2. Yazid and his followers surrounded Hussein and his followers, cutting off their basic necessities

  3. Hussein's camp was killed one by one, including his baby son

  4. As Hussein was about to be killed he began to pray

  5. His head was cut off as he was praying
• Id-ul-Adha


  • Gives a perfect example of submission to follow
  • Reminds Muslims of the importance of following Allah's rules
  • Reminds Muslims to stay faithful in testing times
  • Reminds Muslims to reject the Devil (evil)
  • Reminds Muslims that submitting involves sacrifices
• Id-ul-Fitr


  • Celebrates their own submission through Sawm
  • Reminds Muslims of the rewards of obeying God
  • Reminds Muslims that submitting to God involves sacrifices
• Ashura


  • Reminds Muslims to stand up to evil
  • Shows the power of good over evil
  • Reminds Muslims that submitting to God involves sacrifices
• How Id-ul-Adha is celebrated

  1. Family meet and exchange gifts

  2. An animal is sacrificed

  3. Animal is divided into three parts (between family & friends, the poor, the meal)

  4. Special Id-ul-Adha prayer. Muslims may follow Muhammad's example for this by putting on their best clothes
• How Id-ul-Fitr is celebrated

  1. Celebrated for 1 to 3 days with family

  2. The breaking of the fast will be marked by having a small sweet breakfast

  3. Charity payment (Zakah-ul-Fitr)

  4. A special Eid prayer followed by a sermon where Muslims are reminded of their duty to help the poor and needy and end hatred and anger
• How Ashura is celebrated

  1. A day of mourning

  2. A very small number may cut themselves (this is discouraged, instead many donate blood)

  3. Retelling the story of the battle of Karbala