The city’s Muslim community, together with others all over the world, commemorated Eid ul Adha from Sunday until today (Thursday) with New Year celebrated on Monday in South Africa.
Eid ul Adha is an Islamic festival to commemorate the willingness of Abraham to follow God’s command to sacrifice his son and is also referred to as the ‘Feast of Sacrifice’.
According to prominent member of the local Muslim community Solly Hassen, Eid ul Adha is one of the most significant events on the Muslim calendar, as is Eid ul Fitr. It is customary to slaughter either a goat, a sheep or a cow and divide the meat into three parts. The first part goes to the family who slaughtered the animal, the second part to relatives and the remaining part to poor and needy members of the community.
Although it is not a public holiday, male Muslims devote their day to attending early morning prayers at the mosque or another place of mass gathering such as the Polokwane cricket field. Thereafter they visit the cemetery as well as elderly people in the community, among others. From around noon families and friends visit one another and enjoy traditional meals and refreshments.
Story and photos: BARRY VILJOEN
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