Eid al-Adha, also known as the 'Festival of Sacrifice', is a significant religious holiday observed in Palestine. This holiday honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to obey God’s command to sacrifice his son Ishmael, until at the last moment, God provided a lamb to sacrifice instead. Celebrations and preparations for Eid al-Adha in Palestine often begin weeks prior to the season, with people purchasing animals for sacrifice, baking traditional Palestinian Eid pastries, and decorating their homes with lights and balloons.
The first day of Eid al-Adha is marked by a congregation in a Mosque to perform the Salat al-Eid (the Eid prayer), which is followed by the act of sacrifice or Qurban. Families in Palestine usually sacrifice a sheep or a goat; the meat from the offering is divided into three parts. One-third is consumed by the family; another portion is given to relatives, and the final part is donated to the poor. This suggests the spirit of giving and sharing that underpins this Holy Holiday.
Eid al-Adha in Palestine is also a time of charity and of family. Large feasts are held, with families, relatives, and friends invited to share the occasion. Children often receive gifts or money, and people dress up in their newest or best clothes. One of the local traditions includes visiting the graves of deceased family members and paying them respect. Despite the difficult circumstances in Palestine, the holiday serves as a brief respite from the daily struggles, a time to rekindle familial ties, and an opportunity to help those less fortunate.