At a time when most students are preparing to make turkey and stuffing, students of the Muslim faith are sacrificing an animal to eat for the greater God.

Sunday, Nov. 6, was the celebration of the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha. The holiday is also known as a “festival of sacrifice” because it is when families gather together and sacrifice an animal for the sake of God. It is something that is good to do but people don’t necessarily have to do it.

On Monday, Nov. 21, the Islamic Interest Society and the Saudi Interest Club hosted the Eid al-Adha Celebration at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Center Ballroom. The event featured a presentation about Eid and its value in Islamic countries. Arabic coffee and food was also served.

“All Muslims celebrate (Ei al-Adha),” says sophomore engineering management major Abdulaziz Alakeel who is also the treasurer of the Saudi Interest Club. “It’s a family event, like Thanksgiving, everyone gathers all together.”

Eid al-Adha starts in the early morning with a large breakfast of the meat of the animal that was sacrificed. During the evening family, friends and community members gather for a large dinner of that animal.

When it comes to the animal that is to be sacrificed, it can’t be any animal. Typically an animal that is not too small.

“The most common animals that are sacrificed are sheep, camels and cows,” Alakeel says.

Alakeel said this event provided attendees a chance to learn about Saudi culture.

“Because (the event) is from the SIC we’re going to show some other stuff about Saudi Arabia, like posters and about the economy and technology,” Alakeel says.

Alakeel said students were invited to attend the event and participate in the traditional greeting exchange of “Eid Mubarark” which means “Happy Eid.”

At a time when most students are preparing to make turkey and stuffing, students of the Muslim faith are sacrificing an animal to eat for the greater God.
Sunday, Nov. 6, was the celebration of the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha. The holiday is also known as a “festival of sacrifice” because it is when families gather together and sacrifice an animal for the sake of God. It is something that is good to do but people don’t necessarily have to do it.
On Monday, Nov. 21, the Islamic Interest Society and the Saudi Interest Club hosted the Eid al-Adha Celebration at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Center Ballroom. The event featured a presentation about Eid and its value in Islamic countries. Arabic coffee and food was also served.
“All Muslims celebrate (Eid al-Adha),” says sophomore engineering management major Abdulaziz Alakeel who is also the treasurer of the Saudi Interest Club. “It’s a family event, like Thanksgiving, everyone gathers all together.”
Eid al-Adha starts in the early morning with a large breakfast of the meat of the animal that was sacrificed. During the evening family, friends and community members gather for a large dinner of that animal.
When it comes to the animal that is to be sacrificed, it can’t be any animal. Typically an animal that is not too small.
“The most common animals that are sacrificed are sheep, camels and cows,” Alakeel says.
The animal is divided into three parts. One part is given to those less fortunate, another part is given to neighbors and friends and the last part is for the family of those who sacrificed the animal.
The celebration falls on the 10th day Duhl-Hijja, which is the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
“Islamic holidays are not announced until the beginning of the year because they are based on the lunar cycle,” Campus Interfaith Coordinator Caitlin Czeh says.
Alakeel said this event provided a chance to learn about Saudi culture to attending.
“Because (the event) is from the SIC we’re going to show some other stuff about Saudi Arabia, like posters and about the economy and technology,” Alakeel says.
Alakeel said students were invited to attend the event and  participate in the traditional greeting exchange of “Eid Mubarark” which means “Happy Eid.”