DILI, 19 july 2021 (TATOLI) – Muslim communities in Timor-Leste are preparing to celebrate the 1442nd of Eid al-Adha, which will take place tomorrow, at An-Nur Mosque, in Dili.
The Vice President of the Muslim Community in Timor-Leste, Abdullah Inácio António Soares informed that around 8000 Muslims in Timor-Leste will celebrate the Eid al-Adha day, known as the day of sacrifice.
He said every year, the President of the Republic always attends the commemoration of the day: “Tomorrow, probably the President Lú Olo will attend the celebration of the 1442nd of Eid al-Adha”.
“We had been preparing since days ago, such as our preparation team had contacted those who indeed want to help us to contribute their animals, including cows and goats. So far, we have received two cows from our national leaders, including one from the President of the Republic, Francisco Guterres ‘Lú Olo’, and another one is given by the former Prime Minister, Mari Alkatiri,” Soares told reporters at An-Nur Mosque, in Dili, today.
Soares said the meat of those cows will be distributed to Muslims and Non-Muslims communities in Dili, particularly those who live near the Mosque.
“The importance of celebrating this special day is to spread the message about the sacrifice of our prophet Ibrahim to give his one and only son prophet Ismail to God,” said Soares.
He said with the commemoration of the Eid al-Adha: “All Muslims in Timor-Leste will follow the Prophet Ibrahim’s footsteps to promote peace and stability in the country. There is no place for discrimination against religion, race, ethnicity, and so on.”
At the same place, Severino Dias, a young adult Timorese Muslim said that the celebration of the 1442nd of Eid al-Adha would strengthen Timorese Muslims’ belief and boosting good relations between Muslims and other communities in Timor-Leste.
However, Eid al-Adha Day or Eid ul Adha, Id-ul-Azha, Id-ul-Zuha, ‘Hari Raya Haji’ or Bakr-id; the ‘Feast of Sacrifice is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar.
Eid al-Adha, Arabic for Festival of the Sacrifice, is the latter of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr). It honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to God’s command.
The festival may also be known as Al Eid Al Kabeer, which means the ‘Grand Eid’. It has this more important status in religious terms as this Eid lasts for four days whereas Eid Al Fitr is one day, even though most countries observe about the same number of public holidays for both Eids.
This festival is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice everything for God.
Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar. As the exact day is based on lunar sightings, the date may vary between countries.
In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, and lasts for four days. In the international (Gregorian calendar), the dates vary from year to year, shifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
