Bakrid 2018- When And How Is Eid Celebrated?

Eid al-Adha 2018 will begin in the evening of August 21 and end in the evening of August 25. The event takes place on different dates every year, as it follows the Islamic lunar calendar and not the international Gregorian calendar.The dates changes every year, drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.

Last year, the start of the festival began on September 1 and next year it will most likely fall on August 10. However, the date also depends on the sighting of the Crescent Moon.The visibility depends on the weather conditions, so the exact date can never be predicted with certainty.

The Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia first announced the exact date of Eid Al Adha as August 21 after the Zul Hijjah moon was sighted on Saturday evening.Bakra Eid, another word for Eid al-Adha or Eid ul Adha, is a public holiday in Muslim countries.

How and when is Eid celebrated?

Eid al-Adha isl known as the festival of sacrifice and the special occasion includes prayers, greetings and gifts of various kinds. The holiday celebrates the occasion when Allah came to Ibrahim in a dream, and asked him to sacrifice his son Isma’il as an act of obedience to God.

Ibrahim was tempted by the devil, saying he should spare his son.

But as he was about to sacrifice Isma’il, Allah stopped him and gave him a lamb instead - praising him for his obedience.

Today, those who can afford it sacrifice a sheep or a goat to celebrate Eid Al Adha as a reminder of the story.

Eid al-Adha usually starts with prayers at the Mosque, thanking Allah for the blessings they have received.

Here, they also exchange the greeting “Eid Mubarak” which means “blessed Eid”.
It is also mandatory for people with money to give an amount to charity, so less fortunate people can afford to celebrate as well.

Bakra Eid also marks the end Hajj, a pilgrimage that takes Muslims to the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

Approximately two million Muslims makes the five-day religion journey every year.

The event expects Muslims to pray, dress in their best clothes and give gifts to others, but it is first and foremost a special occasion to celebrate with friends and family.