Today is the second day of Eid al Adha or the Festival of the Sacrifice, a three day festival which falls at the end of the Haj.
The festival commemorates the Prophet Abraham's (Ibrahim's) near-sacrifice of his son to Allah and Muslims traditionally celebrate by slaughtering an animal such as a sheep or goat. They are asked to give a third of the meat to the poor and another third to friends and relatives, symbolising their willingness to forgo something that is precious to them. Schools and offices are closed and people visit family and friends and exchange greetings and gifts.
We went for a family walk in a plantation on the east side of the island and almost everyone we saw greeted us with a cheery "Eid Mubarak!" (Happy Eid) and gave the girls a kiss. The weather was perfect and the date palms looked magnificent.
The farm workers were playing cricket and volleyball or simply sitting and relaxing in the shade of the date palms. Even the security guard at the entrance to the King's late uncle's palace complex let us through with a cheery wave and we managed to get a peek at his seaside pad. What do you think?
And how's this for an Arabian sunset? The view is from Bahrain directly towards Saudi Arabia.
Now that's what I call a holiday house.
ReplyDeleteI was really impressed that some of the feast would be given to the poor. Perhaps we should adopt that philosophy in the West.
And that sunset....glorious!
we enjoyed Eid (or Bajram as it is called here) too, although no sunsets or seaside palaces quite that impressive here.
ReplyDeleteWas thinking for your next posting you could keep it in the B theme and move to Bosnia?
Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteSelma - I agree, it's great that some is donated to the poor. In fact,in this age of commercialisation, there are companies which arrange it all for you - slaughter, collection and donation.
ReplyDeleteBrit in Bosnia - thanks for stopping by. I'll keep your B suggestion in mind!
The Dotterel - thanks!