Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the most important Islamic holidays, celebrated in Afghanistan among other countries throughout the world. It marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The holiday commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham in Christian and Jewish traditions) to sacrifice his son to God before an angel intervened to provide a lamb as an alternative sacrifice.
The celebration in Afghanistan, like in other Muslim-majority countries, involves special prayer gatherings, feasts, and numerous social and religious events. A significant ritual during Eid al-Adha is the act of Qurbani, or sacrifice, where financially capable Muslims are required to sacrifice a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. This act is symbolic, serving as a reminder of Ibrahim's obedience to God.
The meat from the sacrificed animal is traditionally divided into three parts: one part for the family, one part for relatives and friends, and one part for the poor and needy. This distribution reflects the principles of charity and compassion that are central to the Islamic faith. During this holiday, Muslims in Afghanistan also hold family gatherings, exchange gifts, and visit the graves of loved ones to pay their respects. Overall, Eid al-Adha is a time of worship, sacrifice, charity, and community in Afghanistan.