Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid’l Adha tomorrow

The world’s estimated 1.9 billion Muslims will celebrate tomorrow, Eid’l Adha, in solemn congregations to reckon Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael on a Divine trial cum commandment for him to build what is now known as Kaaba, the Holy Mosque in Makkah in Saudi Arabia.

In the Philippines, Asia’s lone Catholic nation, President Duterte has issued Proclamation No. 56 declaring Monday as a regular na- tional holiday on recommendation of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos pursuant to R.A. No. 9849. Under the law, Eid’l Adha and Eid’l Fitr (for the end of Ramadhan fasting) are declared regular holidays being the two most significant events in Islam.

The Embassy of the United States in Manila, meanwhile, announced that its consular offices involved in processing of “previously-scheduled visa appointments” will remain opentomorrow, but “all other office affiliates” of the embassy will be closed for one day in observance of the Eid’l Adha celebration.

Eid’l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijja, the Islamic lunar month during which millions of Muslims across the globe converge at Ka’aba for the spiritually enhancing hajj (pilgrimage) required as one of the five pillars of Islam.

Celebrating Muslims observe Eid’l Adha with offerings of animals like sheep, camels, cattle and other halal animals immediately before the conduct of congregational prayers in recollection of Prophet Abraham’s willingness to slit the throat of his son Ismael in submission to God’s order to build Ka’aba. Angels replaced Ismael with a sheep at the last seconds of the supposed sacrifice, according to Islamic scripture.