Kurban Bayrami: Sacrificing thanks God for his favors

  • Published
  • By Mehmet Birbiri
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs host nation advisor
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  About 3.5 million Moslems have begun to flock from all over the world to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform the pilgrimage called Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam.

The Hajj is obligatory at least once a lifetime for every Moslem who is in good health, financially capable and secure. In fulfilling this service, Moslems express devotion to Allah.

The pilgrimage is an annual event; Moslems meet in Mecca and are dressed in similar uniforms. There is no discrimination or preference between them as they are all Allah's creations.

Meanwhile, the Moslem world is preparing to celebrate Eedu-l-Adha, or Kurban Bayrami Festival of Sacrifice, which falls on the 10th day of the last month of the Islamic calendar.

Eed, short for Eedu-l-Adha, is a day of recurring happiness and festivity, peace and thanksgiving, forgiveness and moral victory, good harvest and remarkable achievements, and a day of festive remembrance.

The climax of Hajj is marked by offering a sacrifice - an obligation to God - to celebrate the completion of this devotional course and feed the poor so they may feel the universal joy of the festival. This duty of sacrificing an animal to God is not only undertaken by pilgrims but by all able Moslems in every corner of the globe. The sacrifice is only a symbol; it's not the meat or blood that pleases God but the expression of thankfulness and the affirmation of faith.

According to Moslems, this event started with the prophet Abraham when he was ordered to sacrifice his son, Ismael, an order which Abraham and his son were ready to unquestioningly obey.

Ismael's life was spared and ransomed by a ram. The offering of the sacrifice has become an annual celebration to commemorate the occasion and thank God for his favors.

This year's Kurban Bayrami starts Nov. 27 and lasts four and a half days.

Religious dates are determined by the Islamic Lunar Calendar. Festivals are observed 10 to 11 days earlier every year.

On Nov. 27, thousands of sheep, goats and calves will be slaughtered by Turkish citizens celebrating Kurban Bayrami.

Almost every city designates a central location with professional butchers to conduct the butchering, but still many follow the traditional way and kill their animal themselves.

On the first day of the festival, families wake up early to make final preparations. Male members go to mosque to perform the special Bayram Namazi, sacrifice festival prayer. The sacrifice begins after the men return from the mosque. The head of the family is expected to perform the sacrifice, but a butcher can also be used to perform the ritual on his behalf.

The animal is given water and salt, its eyes are wrapped with a clean rag and it is turned to face Mecca. Koran verses are recited and then the animal's throat is cut. The meat is then divided into three portions; one given to the poor, one to neighbors and relatives, and the third kept for the household.

Another tradition is visiting the graves of the deceased family members. That is usually done one day prior to the festival and cemeteries are very crowded that day.

Friends, neighbors and relatives visit and celebrate the festival. Traditionally, people offer cologne, candy and Turkish coffee during those visits. Children might be given pocket money as well. Doormen, maids and gardeners are also tipped during the festival.

Bayraminiz Kutlu Olsun or Iyi Bayramlar, loosely meaning have a happy festival, are the greetings used to celebrate your Moslem friends' sacrifice festival.