Sunday, October 5, 2014

Eid Al Adha 2014

Today we celebrated Eid Al Adha. Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, it is the second of two religious holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide each year.

Eid Al Adha 2014
It honors the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his promised son, Ismail, as an act of submission to God's command, before God then intervened to provide Abraham with a lamb to sacrifice instead. The meat from the sacrificed animal is preferred to be divided into three parts. The family retains one third of the share; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors; and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy.

We gathered with friends to reconnect, eat, donate to Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility and play a friendly, yet competitive, trivia game. 

The kids received a quarter for each time they said "Eid Mubarak" (Blessed Eid) to an adult.  A tradition my daughters love because it always means a side trip to Toys R Us on the way home.

The kids were also entertained by listening to the story of Ismail before Lucy the alligator and her handler, The Reptile Man caused the room to explode in screams and laughter. 

May Allah bless you and your loved ones.  Please try to do one good deed for a stranger today.
Lamb, chicken, salata, waraq 3anub, baba ghanoush, etc, etc, etc
It was hard to overeat on the main food knowing there was this dessert table.
"I give my American resources to Gaza to make up for what my American government is doing to Gaza."

A very interactive audience for the story of why we are celebrating Eid.
 
Be sure to visit the Reptile Zoo to see Lucy fall asleep.
Mt. Rainer was out in full glory for our drive home.