Eid-ul-Adha or Eid-ul-Zuha or "Bakri-Eid" marks the second Islamic festival in a year and is commemorated to delve into the Islam history of Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ishmael as an act of submission to Allah’s command, until he was intervened by the angel, Gabriel to stop his son from being sacrificed, and instead a lamb laid on the ground sacrificed and dead. This year, it will be celebrated on 11 September.

It begins at the same time as the annual Hajj, an Islam pilgrimage to Mecca, which serves as a mandatory duty for the adult Muslims who can physically and financially undertake the journey.

During this event, the ambience is filled with the smell of incense sticks and the call for Namaz which encourages men to go to the Mosques and offer the prayers or Namaz in Zamat or huge gathering, while women stay at their homes and offer the Namaz. This is done preferably before noon and the completion of Namaz, if done at an early hour is considered better.

During Eid-al-Adha, distributing meat amongst the people, chanting the takbir, the Arabic term meaning Allah-hu-Akbar or "Allah is the greatest" out loud before the Eid prayers on the first day and after prayers throughout the four days of Eid, are considered essential in adhering to the rules of this festival.

Thus, it is one of those festivals celebrated worldwide which helps men in promoting love and brotherhood among one another and prohibits the killing of man in the name of God.

Coordinator, Class IX, St. Mary’s High School, Coochbehar