Somali community gathers to celebrate Eid-al-Adha in Faribault
On Tuesday morning, hundreds of Somali Muslims gathered in Faribault to spend time with friends and family, eat specially prepared food, pray and celebrate Eid-al-Adha.
“The celebration is for the pilgrimage to Mecca, which ended today, and to remember Abraham’s sacrifice,” said Bashir Omar, a paraprofessional in the Faribault School District.
Not to be confused with Eid-al-Fitr, which is celebrated at the conclusion of Ramadan every year, Eid-al-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice is a three-day holiday to recognize those who have finished the Hajj – a journey to the city of Mecca that every able-bodied Muslim must take at least once during their lifetime.
Muslims also celebrate Eid-al-Adha to commemorate the actions of Ibrahim (Abraham) who they believe was so faithful to Allah, or God, that he was willing to sacrifice his own son, Ishmael. After expressing his willingness to do anything for his God, Allah rewarded his devotion by allowing him to sacrifice a ram instead.
The same story of Abraham is also found in the Christian Bible.
The holiday, on a different day every year as it is not coordinated with the Gregorian calendar, often falls on weekdays, which can be difficult for students in the United States.
“All of the kids have to miss school but it’s nice right now because school is closed tomorrow and Thursday,” said Omar.
Because of MEA break, which starts on Wednesday and runs through the rest of the week, this year kids will only have to miss one day of class while they spend time celebrating with their families – something they look forward to all year.
“I got up at 6 [o’clock] this morning because I was so excited!” said Rosa Hussein at the prayer service on Tuesday morning. “My favorite part is the food and everyone looking so good!”
In preparation for the holiday, kids and adults buy new clothes for the occasion and prepare large feasts, which often include goat or lamb meat and sweet treats like the gooey jelly called halwa.
But more than anything, Eid-al-Adha is a time for Muslims to spend time with friends and family and have a little fun.
After morning prayers, Hussein planned to go to the cities and spend the day shopping and hanging out with friends while Omar wanted to spend time with family he doesn’t get to see all the time.
“Everyone goes to eat and visit family to celebrate and have fun together,” said Omar.
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