Eid-al-Adha in the United Kingdom

Many Muslims in the United Kingdom (UK) celebrate Eid-al-Adha, which commemorates Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son to God. This festival also marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

What Do People Do?

Many Muslims make a special effort to wear new clothes or their nicest outfits, attend a prayer service at a mosque and to listen to a sermon. They also personally greet or send paper or electronic Eid cards to family members, friends and business associates and give gifts to children.

Initiatives to improve the quality of life or opportunities in Muslim communities around the United Kingdom may be launched at Eid-al-Adha. Some mosques also hold study days or lectures on aspects of Islam and Islamic history.

Some Muslims arrange to sacrifice or slaughter a cow, goat or sheep. The law in the United Kingdom only allows this in an official slaughterhouse. The meat is divided between family, friends and the poor. Other Muslims give money to charity to help poorer families and eat a meat based meal. Mosques or other groups may arrange communal meals.

Public Life

Eid-al-Adha is not a bank holiday in the UK. Mosques are likely to be busy and this may lead to some traffic congestion. Some Muslims choose to take one or more days of annual leave at this time.

Background

Eid-al-Adha honors Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael when God ordered him to do this. However, just as Ibrahim was about to kill Ishmael, God put a sheep in his place. Some people dispute that the son of sacrifice was Isaac (Isḥāq). Regardless, these events are remembered and celebrated at Eid al-Adha.

Muslims celebrate Ibrahim's complete obedience to the will of God during Eid-al-Adha. They remind themselves of their own willingness to sacrifice anything to follow God's commands. It also marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

About Eid-al-Adha in other countries

Eid-al-Adha Observances