In the spirit of faith and community: Welcome Eid al-Adha

(Patria) - Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world are celebrating Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice or the Pilgrimage Feast, a time for performing the Hajj pilgrimage. The central Eid celebration of the Islamic Community's Riyasat was held at the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo. The Eid prayer was at 5:43 AM.

The central Eid celebration of the Islamic Community's Riyasat will be held at the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo, where the Eid sermon will be delivered by the Reis-ul-ulema Husein-ef. Kavazović.

After the morning prayer, which will be performed starting at 4:30 AM, a festive program will be held featuring renowned reciters of the Quran, ilahijas, and qasidas.

A fitting sermon will be delivered on this occasion by the director of the Gazi Husrev-beg Madrasa, Mr. Dževad Pleh.

BHRT and BIR Television will broadcast the central Eid celebration live.

On the first day, the Reis-ul-ulema will host the traditional Eid greetings, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at the Administrative Building of the Islamic Community's Riyasat in Kovači. On the same day, the Reis-ul-ulema's traditional Eid reception for guests will be held, starting at 7:00 PM.

The importance of Eid al-Adha, or the Pilgrimage Feast, is determined by the act of sacrificing a qurban and distributing its meat to the poor, friends, and neighbors, as well as the Hajj pilgrimage, during which millions of Muslims stay in Mecca during specific days. Among them this year are 2,222 citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A qurban is a sacrifice offered in memory of the two sons of Adam (peace be upon him) and in testament to Abraham's devotion to God. A ram or cattle is usually sacrificed as a qurban, and the meat is distributed to the poor, friends, neighbors, and those most in need.

The Pilgrimage Feast is a time when millions of Muslims stay in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina to perform the fifth Islamic duty – the Hajj, which Almighty God prescribes and which every Muslim is obliged to perform, if they are healthy and have the financial means to do so.

There are two joys of this holiday – the first joy is the sacrifice of a qurban, through which Muslims practically show care for other people and their needs, indicating equality and unity among people and nations.

The second joy is the completed Hajj, by which pilgrims, who are guests of Allah, draw closer to Allah and express their obedience and gratitude, hoping for His reward and forgiveness.

Eid al-Adha lasts for four days, and it is a time that Muslims spend with their families, welcoming and visiting relatives, friends, and neighbors, and also awaiting the return of their loved ones from the Hajj.