Muslims are celebrating the festival of Kurban Bairam today. The Feast of the Sacrifice, Kurban Bairam ( Eid al-Adha), is a part of the Muslim rite of pilgrimage to Mecca. The celebration takes place in the valley of Mina near Mecca on the 10th day of the 12th month of the Muslim lunar calendar, Dhul-Hijjah, and lasts for 3-4 days.
According to the Koran, the angel Jabr appeared to the prophet Ibrahim in a dream and gave him a commandment from God to sacrifice his son Ishmael. Ibrahim went into the valley of Mina, to the place where Mecca now stands, and started the preparations. However, this turned out to be a test from Allah, and at the last moment of sacrifice Ishmael was replaced with a lamb.
Obviously, not all Muslims can perform the Hajj to Mecca to participate in the celebration in the holy place of personal sacrifice. Therefore, the canons of Islam require Muslims to fulfil the culminating part of the rite not only in Mecca, but wherever they are. On the festive day, Muslims must perform the rite of sacrifice and the sacrificial meat should be given to the poor.This festival embodies the highest moral qualities of Islam - mercy, kindness and love for people. It demonstrates the commitment of Islam to universal human values, which ennoble men and promote the unity of society.
Ramin Naziyev, Baku, exclusively for "Vestnik Kavkaza"
