10 things you may not know about Eid al-Adha
On Wednesday, millions of Muslims around the world gathered with friends and family to celebrate Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice.
Victoria Islamic Center imam Osama Hassan said the celebration is a joyous occasion this year because it marks the last Eid his members will observe without a building to assemble.
“We don’t have an exact opening date yet, but when we do we will be having a big grand opening,” the imam said.
Since the Islamic Center was burned down in January 2016, about 60 Muslim families in the Crossroads have been forced to celebrate their holy holidays in a neighboring educational building.
Two Ramadan celebrations and two Eid alAdhas, as well as weekly meals and daily prayers, have been held off-site. But Hassan said this is the last year they will have no place to congregate. The newly built Islamic Center, which will be larger than the former, is slated to open mid-September.
“We’ve been out of our building almost two years now, so we’re ready to open,” he said, mentioning final touches are being put on the building.
But Hassan said his members are thankful this year, and the Feast of Sacrifice is a day to remember the blessings of God.
Here are 10 things you may not know about Eid al-Adha.
1. The Feast of Sacrifice commemorates the story of Abraham, noted in the Torah, Bible and Koran, when God asks him to sacrifice his only son. At the last moment, God replaces Abraham’s son with a sheep. The celebration honors Abraham’s willingness to follow God’s command.
2. Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th and 13th days of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah.
3. The Feast of Sacrifice marks the end of the Hajj, a journey to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. It’s required that each Muslim make the trip at least once in their lifetime.
4. More than a million Muslims go on Hajj each year to Mecca. Those who live closer to Saudi Arabia are more likely to take the journey. For example, 20 percent of Egyptian Muslims have performed the Hajj, while only 3 percent of Indonesians have gone.
5. The Saudi government sets the number of Hajj visas each year, and it may cost up to $5,000 to make the journey.
6. More than 14,000 American Muslims perform the Hajj each year.
7. Each year, on Eid al-Adha, lambs, goats, sheep, cows and other animals (sometimes camels) are sacrificed and the meat is divided into three parts. The family keeps one-third, another third is sent to relatives and friends and the last third is given to charity.
8. The sacrificed animal is called a Udiyyah, or “the sacrificed,” and must be a high-quality halal animal of a certain age before it can be killed.
9. The Eid serves as a reminder that people should be willing to sacrifice themselves for God.
10. Fasting is not required during this Eid, as it is required during the month of Ramadan, but some undergo voluntary fasting leading up to the celebration.
The Home Church will host “Life Principles in Acts,” at 6 p.m. Sundays, a Bible study focusing on integrating teachings from the Bible into everyday life. Childcare will be provided.
The church will also host Life Training Academy, which offers a kindergartenthrough-eighth-grade on-campus school, Happy Hearts Preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds and a K-12 homeschool support program, as well as before- and after-school care and summer school.
LTA prices start at $320 per month. For more information, call 209-339-7373 or visit
The Home Church is located at 11451 N. West Lane, Lodi. For more information, call 209-339-7333 or visit