As the news of an agreed cease-fire in Syria for Eid-al-Adha has been shared, many in the west may be asking what is this "Eid"?
We're beginning the Eid (festival) here tonight as, according to the Muslim calendar, the holidays begin on sunset the night before. We're learning about this Islamic holiday ourselves.
Eid-al-Adha means "festival of sacrifice".
It is celebrated at the end of the annual "Hajj", or pilgrimage to Mecca.
It is a remembrance of Abraham's trial to sacrifice his only son; Christians will be familiar with this event as recorded in Genesis 22. However, Muslims believe that the son to be sacrificed was not Isaac, but Ishmael (Hagar's son, Genesis 16).
Christians, particularly in the West, may be surprised to learn that Muslims believe that Abraham was not Jewish, but actually the first Muslim.
During the Eid-al-Adha, Muslims sacrifice a sheep, goat, or camel in remembrance of the providential ram that was caught in the bush at the time of Abraham's difficult obedience. Muslims do not count this as an act of atonement--they believe that piety is the only means of reaching God. The name of "Allah" is invoked at the time of the sacrifice as a reminder that life is sacred. The meat from the animal is then divided into thirds: a third is eaten by the family, another third is shared with family and friends, and the final third is shared with the poor.
Throughout the last couple weeks, we have seen herds of sheep and goats near intersections where the can be purchased and taken home until the Eid. The sight is similar to make-shift Christmas tree lots or pumpkin patches in the States. We have been told that though many Egyptian Muslims will sacrifice these in their bathtubs, many more will sacrifice these in the streets and that the blood of these slain animals fill the streets.
So, through an Old Testament event remembered by Muslims in 2012, God has once again provided the lamb(s) that may save sons and daughters for the next three days in Syria. Perhaps leaders can take advantage of this cease fire and "break bread together" and come to further agreements and resolutions that will save lives and lead to greater, lasting peace.
In other news:
- Lebanon sees violence continue, but our friends at Heart for Lebanon continue to serve through their strategic initiatives, including service to Syrian refugees.
- Egypt is battling not in physical fights, but in words and rhetoric as the creation of a new constitution continues.
- New teammates Daniel, Christy, and Sophie Kihm just completed their site-visit to Holland where they are preparing to serve as a part of the Three-Worlds Team. Pray for the Kihms as they continue to raise their support network, as well as for Zach & Audrey Langford as they prepare to go serve Liverpool.
We're beginning the Eid (festival) here tonight as, according to the Muslim calendar, the holidays begin on sunset the night before. We're learning about this Islamic holiday ourselves.
Eid-al-Adha means "festival of sacrifice".
It is celebrated at the end of the annual "Hajj", or pilgrimage to Mecca.
It is a remembrance of Abraham's trial to sacrifice his only son; Christians will be familiar with this event as recorded in Genesis 22. However, Muslims believe that the son to be sacrificed was not Isaac, but Ishmael (Hagar's son, Genesis 16).
Christians, particularly in the West, may be surprised to learn that Muslims believe that Abraham was not Jewish, but actually the first Muslim.
During the Eid-al-Adha, Muslims sacrifice a sheep, goat, or camel in remembrance of the providential ram that was caught in the bush at the time of Abraham's difficult obedience. Muslims do not count this as an act of atonement--they believe that piety is the only means of reaching God. The name of "Allah" is invoked at the time of the sacrifice as a reminder that life is sacred. The meat from the animal is then divided into thirds: a third is eaten by the family, another third is shared with family and friends, and the final third is shared with the poor.
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| Ironically, or fittingly, the slaughter of these sheep over the next few days may prevent the loss of lives in Syria. |
So, through an Old Testament event remembered by Muslims in 2012, God has once again provided the lamb(s) that may save sons and daughters for the next three days in Syria. Perhaps leaders can take advantage of this cease fire and "break bread together" and come to further agreements and resolutions that will save lives and lead to greater, lasting peace.
In other news:
- Lebanon sees violence continue, but our friends at Heart for Lebanon continue to serve through their strategic initiatives, including service to Syrian refugees.
- Egypt is battling not in physical fights, but in words and rhetoric as the creation of a new constitution continues.
- New teammates Daniel, Christy, and Sophie Kihm just completed their site-visit to Holland where they are preparing to serve as a part of the Three-Worlds Team. Pray for the Kihms as they continue to raise their support network, as well as for Zach & Audrey Langford as they prepare to go serve Liverpool.
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