Peaceful Eid'l Adha celebration in city

MUSLIM communities in Davao City peacefully celebrated yesterday their feast of sacrifice or Eid'l Adha.

Mini-forest Barangay Captain Alimodin Wating Usman said that some of the estimated 1,800 attendees of the "Sambayang" or Muslim prayer came from Lanao del Sur.

Maranao tribe Deputy Mayor Randy Usman said the Maranaos of Barangay 23-C Mini-forest started their prayer around 6:30 a.m. and ended at around 7 a.m.

He said that Eid'l Adha marks the culmination of the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca or Hajj and it also celebrates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail.

The celebration also entails the slaughter of goats and cows in commemoration of Ismael's deliverance from death through Allah's power and instead a goat or sheep was slaughtered as sacrifice.

"Doon nagsimula, ang camel, or baka, or kambing ang kinakatay," he said.

Usman said that their family slaughtered five

goats for the celebration. He said that this practice though is usually done by Muslims who can afford to do so.

Usman added that in time with the celebration, he wished for peaceful life in the city, and continued happiness for every Muslim along with the support of the local government.

Aside from Mini-forest, which is primarily occupied by the Maranao tribe, many Muslims in Tigatto and Waan, where Kagan tribe communities are found, also conducted similar prayer activities.

Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio extended her warmest wishes and sincerest hope to the Muslim community in celebration of Eid'l Adha.