Eid ul-Adha

Eid ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) is one of the two major Islamic holidays, celebrated widely in Qatar and throughout the Muslim world. It honors the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command.

The origin of Eid ul-Adha comes from the Quranic story in which Allah tested Prophet Ibrahim’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his son, Ismail. As Ibrahim prepared to fulfill the command, Allah intervened and provided a ram to sacrifice instead.

To commemorate this act of devotion, Muslims around the world observe Eid ul-Adha by performing Qurbani (ritual animal sacrifice), typically of a goat, sheep, cow, or camel. The meat is divided into three parts: one-third for the family, one-third for relatives and friends, and one-third for the poor.

Eid ul-Adha also coincides with the final days of the Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and takes place in Mecca.

In Qatar, Eid ul-Adha is a public holiday and is celebrated over three days with:

• Special Eid prayers in mosques and large prayer grounds
• Animal sacrifices and charitable food distribution
• Family visits, gift-giving, and festive meals
• Cultural and community events, especially for children
• Acts of charity and kindness in the spirit of the holiday

The government and communities ensure that both spiritual and social aspects of the festival are honored across the country.

The list below is a conversion from Islamic lunar calendar to Gregorian calendar, it may have variations as regional is determined by sighting of the crescent moon.