Hajj Day in Maldives is an annual holiday celebrated by the Islamic followers in the country. The festival, also known as Eid al-Adha or Feast of the Sacrifice, is one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar. This holiday is observed in remembrance of the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. However, before Ibrahim could carry out the sacrifice, God provided him with a ram to sacrifice instead.
In Maldives, Hajj Day is observed with great piety and reverence. The day is marked with Islamic followers going to the mosque to participate in special prayers. Many also perform the act of Qurbani, which involves the slaughtering of an animal, usually a sheep or a goat, as a sacrifice. The meat from the sacrifice is then typically distributed among family, friends, and the less fortunate in the community.
Moreover, Hajj day also signals the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage - one of the Five Pillars of Islam. While this pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia is a requirement for all adults in the Islamic faith, due to logistical and financial constraints not everyone can make the journey. However, on Hajj Day those who are not on the Hajj pilgrimage partake in the event spiritually from the Maldives by engaging in prayer and reflection, embodying the true spirit of the festival.