Athens Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha
Athens, Ga.
The Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha reminds Adel Amer, Imam of the Al-Huda Islamic Center of Athens, that sometimes “you chase your own tail in this vicious cycle called life” to meet all of your obligations and forget to balance all aspects of life.
Giggling children running in circles and rolling along the floor gave way to men bowing heads and rhythmically chanting “Allaahu Akbar” before Amer gave the morning sermon.
Roughly 200 hundred Muslims gathered inside of the Al-Huda Islamic Center of Athens early Monday morning. The song-like prayers, warm air, and laughter brought the center to life.
Muslims across the world, including Athens, Georgia, are celebrating Eid al-Adha, pronounced EED al-UHD-hu. The holiday, running from Sept. 12–15, commemorates the prophet Ibrahim’s — Abraham in the Bible — willingness to sacrifice his son. The name of the holiday translates to “festival of sacrifice.”
“This holiday goes back before Jesus, before Muhammad. Christians, Jews, and Muslims we’re all children of Abraham. So it’s a great celebration,” Ali Alnassi who emigrated from Iran to the United States and became a citizen said.
The story goes, said Amer, Ibrahim led his wife Hagar and their son Ismail to the desert with only the basic necessities. When their water ran out Hagar ran from hill to hill seven times searching for water to save her son. Then a miracle: a well came from the desert and saved them. Through Ibrahim, God told those with the means to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives.
Eid al-Adha marks the end of the annual Hajj to Mecca, one of the holiest site in Islam where the prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail built the Kaaba in what is now Saudi Arabia. Muslims face the direction of the Kaaba when they pray.
On the first day of Eid, Islamic tradition calls for a “qurbani,” or animal sacrifice. The meat is to be distributed into thirds, one-third of the meat for the needy, one-third for your neighbors and one-third for your family.
“Islam is simple. Islam is peace, contentment, and that’s what its brought me,” said Ahmad Rashad a member of the Al-Huda Islamic Center of Athens.
It’s a celebration of giving and life.
The festival dates vary from year-to-year and are dictated by the sighting of the moon and the lunar calendar. This year’s holiday fell just after September 11 and prayers were held indoors out of respect for the day said Dr. Sher Ali — President of Al Huda Islamic Center.
Two Athens-Clarke County police officers were outside the center.
Jesus said whenever you search for peace, search inside yourself. This is the common factor between all the messages from God through Jesus, Moses, Ibrahim and Muhammad. They all come with this message of peace, said Amer.
“Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar. Laa ilaa ha illallaah, Allaahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillaahil hamd,” — translated means God is great, God is great, God is great -There is no deity except Allah and Allah is great. Allah is great and all praises belong to him alone.
