An estimated 1.6 billion Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Adha today, which begins on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah each year.

Dhul-Hijjah is the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar, with the first 10 days being some of the holiest of the entire year, according to Islamic doctrine.  

Eid al-Adha marks the culmination of these 10 days and is preceded by the Day of Arafat. When Muslims pray on Mount Arafat during the Hajj, the obligatory pilgrimage Muslims must travel to Mecca at least once, Satan will see the extent of God’s forgiveness and be “belittled and humiliated more than any other day of the year,” according to a 1986 speech delivered by Islamic Center of Raleigh Imam Mohammed Baianonie.

According to a recording by Imam Muslim, Prophet Muhammad recommended Muslims fast on this day because it “wipes off the sins of the last year and this year.”

Eid al-Adha also commemorates the day God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. As Abraham proceeded to perform the sacrifice of his willing son, God showed mercy and placed a sheep in the son’s place, according to the Quran.

Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha by slaying a healthy lamb at least six months old, a goat that is at least one year old, a cow at least two years old or a camel at least five years old, according to the speech. Muslims then divide the slain animal for consumption among family members and the needy.

For Muslims who did not want to slaughter an animal themselves, the Islamic Association of Raleigh IAR collected $80, the price of a goat, from each donating Muslim, according to IAR Vice Chair Atef Zaghloul. The donations were sent to Chad, one of the poorest countries in the world.

The IAR will also hold Eid prayer services today, with the first shift at 8 a.m. and the second shift at 10 a.m., according to Zaghloul.  Participants can take advantage of a free shuttle service from the Blue Ridge Theater to the masjid.

To add to the festivities, the IAR also planned a picnic for Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at White Oak Recreation Area by Jordan Lake, Zaghloul said.  The picnic will include cotton candy and family activities for all to enjoy, according to the IAR’s website.

The Muslim Student Association at the University will also host a picnic at Pullen Park this Friday at 3 p.m., according to Fatima Hedadji, MSA president and sophomore in communication. 

“There won’t be any super religious talking, it’s just really a time for … people to have fun and celebrate together,” Hedadji said.

Other celebratory traditions include dressing up in new clothes, the exchanging of money or gifts, and visiting friends and relatives.

“Basically, the day is going to consist of cooking and eating together, especially from the meat that we get for the holiday,” Hedadji said.

Her brother is also excited to slay the lamb this year for the first time, Hedadji said.

“It’s just a special time of the year where you try to dedicate more of your time to worshipping Allah,” Zaghloul said.

Hedadji said on the first day of Dhul-Hijjah she attended a seminar called the Prophet’s Smile, where she learned about Prophet Muhammad and his life.

“Through the entire seminar, we just kind of learned a lot about details that we never noticed, that make us appreciate our faith more … it kind of just also made me reanalyze myself as a Muslim a bit,” Hedadji said.

Hedadji said the seminar inspired her to “make the most of the 10 days” by fasting with a friend and motivating each other.

“I feel like I’m giving more meaning to a holiday that sometimes I just take for granted and don’t really think about until the day it comes up,” Hedadji said. “People always ask me about what Muslim holidays are, and so I’m always explaining that. I’ve done that every year.”

For those who wish to learn more about Islam, MSA will hold an outreach fair Thursday at 7 p.m. in Riddick Hearth titled Muslims in America, which will explore a number of topics related to the faith, including Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Adha.