First day of Eid Al-Adha 4 October 2014

[freelife]

Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta announced on Wednesday that the first day of the Islamic Eid Al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is on 4 October.

The statement of Dar Al-Ifta, the highest institution tasked with issuing religious edicts, came in accordance with Saudi Arabia's earlier announcement on the timing of this year's eid.

Eid Al-Adha, which lasts for four days, is the second of two religious holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide each year. It is always observed in Egypt where the overwhelming majority of the population is Muslim.

The Feast of Sacrifice honors the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his young first-born son Ismail as an act of submission to God’s command, before God then intervened to provide Abraham with a lamb to sacrifice instead.

Eid Al-Adha, also known as the Grand Feast, is also especially significant because it marks the annual Hajj, or the Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Traditionally, children expect a "eideya," a special sum of money from grown-ups in their family, as well as a new set of clothes.

Ctv Egypt News