When is Eid al-Adha 2019, what date does it end, what is the Islamic festival about and how is it celebrated?
EID al-Adha has marked the end of Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
It's one of the two Eid celebrations – Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr – and is strongly considered the holier of the two. Here's everything you need to know about the famous festival…
When is Eid al-Adha in 2019?
In 2019 it will begin in the evening of Sunday August 11 and end four days later on Thursday August 15.
Millions of Muslims around the world will gather to mark one of the holiest days in the religious calendar.
Large groups get together to pray while enjoying feasts and wearing their best clothing.
Traditionally, the festival lasts for four days but public holidays vary around the world – with Arab countries observing a nine-day public holiday.
What is the Islamic festival about?
It is also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice or the Greater Eid.
The celebration revolves around when Allah appeared to Ibrahim in a dream and asked him to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, as a sign of his faith.
It’s similar to the Christian and Jewish stories in which God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, but spared him from doing so.
It is a celebratory festival and men and women will dress up for the occasion.
How is it celebrated?
Friends and family gather together to exchange gifts and money and eat traditional food.
It is tradition to give gifts and be given new clothes during Eid al-Adha.
Sacrifice is a huge part of the tradition.
In some countries, families buy, keep and slaughter their own animals.
Islamic rules state the animal must be in good health and an adult.
The meat from the sacrificed animal is traditionally divided into three parts.
A third is kept by the family, a third is given to friends and relatives, and a third is donated to the poor.
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