Hari Raya Haji / Hari Raya Aidil Adha

Before posting this article, I have no idea what Haji is about. I like to share this new knowledge with you.

Background

Hari Raya Haji (Aidil Adha) falls on the 10th day, 12th month under the Muslim calendar.

On this day, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Muslims worldwide sacrifice sheep, cows or camels for the sake of religion and community. It is done in remembrance of the sacrifice undertaken by Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Ismail, where, at the last moment, a ram appeared in his place.

Hari Raya Haji also marks the end of the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Muslims gather in Mecca to perform the pilgrimage, which is the fifth pillar of Islam.



Description
Male volunteers at mosques or Muslim institutions usually perform the sacrificial slaughtering after the Hari Raya Haji congregational prayers. This sacrificial slaughtering, also known as korban, is a voluntary act.

Sheep, goats and cows are ritually slaughtered as sacrifice. The meat is then distributed to the community, neighbours, and relatives with special attention to the needy and poor, as a reminder to share one's wealth with others.

During the sacrifice, prayers are uttered and the sheep's throat is slit with razor sharp knives. This act must be done with confidence and quickly, so as to minimise hurt and mishandling to the animal.

This is in accordance with the Islamic law where halal does not literally mean that the food neither contains pork nor lard, but it has to be slaughtered according to proper Islamic rights.

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Do not be confused between Hari Raya Haji with Hari Raya Puasa. Hari Raya Puasa, which falls on the 1st Day, 10th Month of the Muslim calendar, marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It is a day of victory for Muslims, having successfully completed the fast.

Data extracted from http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_694_2004-12-15.html