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Tomorrow, June 6, 2025, Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid al-Adha, also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice. I extend my warmest wishes to the citizens of Somaliland and the entire Muslim community: Eid Mubarak and Kullu Caam wa antum Bilkhayr. This auspicious occasion commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.

What is Eid al-Adha?

Eid al-Adha is one of the two major Islamic holidays, the other being Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The celebration lasts for two to four days, depending on the country.

The story behind Eid al-Adha is a testament to Prophet Ibrahim’s unwavering faith in God. As the story goes, God commanded Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Ibrahim was prepared to carry out this divine command, but God intervened and provided a lamb to be sacrificed instead. This act of devotion is commemorated during Eid al-Adha by Muslims who slaughter an animal (typically a sheep, goat, cow, or camel) and distribute a portion of the meat to the poor. This sacrifice is known as Qurbani or Udhiya.

 

The Global Muslim Community

As of 2025, the Muslim population is estimated to be over 2 billion, constituting approximately 24.1% of the global population. Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, with a presence in nearly every country. The largest Muslim populations are found in the Asia-Pacific region, including countries like:

  • Indonesia
  • Pakistan
  • India
  • Bangladesh

Significant Muslim communities also exist in the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and North America.

The Hajj Pilgrimage

Eid al-Adha is closely linked to the Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and every Muslim who is physically and financially able is expected to perform it at least once in their lifetime. The Hajj takes place during the same Islamic month as Eid al-Adha (Dhu al-Hijjah).

Importance of Hajj:

  • Spiritual Duty: Fulfilling a religious obligation to Allah and demonstrating submission to Him.
  • Forgiveness: Seeking God’s forgiveness for past sins and starting anew.
  • Unity: Uniting Muslims from diverse backgrounds in acts of worship.
  • Spiritual Renewal: Provides an opportunity for self-renewal and reflection.
  • Reminder of Judgement Day: Hajj serves as a reminder of the Day of Judgment when Muslims believe people will stand before God.

Hajj 2025:

The Hajj pilgrimage for 2025 began on Wednesday, June 4, with over a million Muslims from around the world converging on Mecca. The pilgrims participate in a series of rituals, including:

  1. Tawaf: Circling the Kaaba (the sacred building at the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca) seven times.
  2. Sa’i: Walking or running seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, reenacting Hagar’s search for water.
  3. Standing at Arafat: Gathering on the plain of Arafat for prayer and reflection, considered the most important ritual of the Hajj.
  4. Stoning the Devil: Symbolically stoning pillars representing the devil in Mina.



Approximately 2 million pilgrims from 180 nations have converged on Mecca for Hajj 2025. The Hajj pilgrimage is a deeply spiritual experience for Muslims, offering a chance to seek forgiveness, strengthen their faith, and connect with fellow believers from around the world.

Prepared by Dr. Abdulqadir Abdullahi Hassan

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Araweelo News Network.

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