Even though it is only a one day holiday in Singapore, it is actually lasts for four days.
Hari Raya Haji also known as
Eid al-Adha
commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) complete faith and trust in God. The story goes as God commanded Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael), a commandment that Ibrahim responded to with obedience. God stopped him, and provided him with a sheep to substitute as a sacrifice, instead of his son.
It also marks the end of ‘hajj’, which is the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. This arduous journey retraces the steps of the Prophet Muhammed and concludes with a series of symbolic rituals once the faithful have reached the holy city.
The highlight of this festival is the act of Korban is an Islamic ritual that involves slaughtering livestock and distributing the meat to the needy to mark Hari Raya Haji. In singapore, the Muslim community will import the livestock from countries like Australia. In addition, in order not to offend other religious communities like the Hindu community, only sheep and goats are slaughtered.
The gesture is a reminder to the fortunate to be thankful to Allah for his blessing and to be aware of those who are less fortunate and share their good fortune through charity and compassion. This sacrificial event takes place following the ritual attendance of the special sermon and prayers held at the mosques. (below is the masjid sultan)
FantasyBoudicca 