Sunni Endowment announces Nov. 16 as first day of Eidul-Adha

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Sunni Endowment announced that Sunday would be the first day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah and November 16 as the first day of Eidul-Adha holiday. Eidul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice or Greater Eid, is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Isma’il (Ishmael) as an act of obedience to God, but instead was able to sacrifice a ram (by God’s command). Eidul-Adha is celebrated annually on the 10th day of the 12th and the last Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah of the lunar Islamic calendar. Eidul-Adha celebrations start after the hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. The date is approximately 40 days after the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan. AmR (P) 1