Rabat - Arab Today
Morocco is expected to celebrate Eid Al-Adha on September 1, corresponding to the Islamic month Dul Hijja 10, 1438, according to the Moroccan Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowment.
Eid Al-Adha is one of the holiest feasts in Islam, marking the end of hajj, a religious pilgrimage undertaken by millions of Muslims each year. Its exact date, based on the Islamic lunar calendar, is determined by a moon-sighting performed by government astronomers each year.
The holiday honors the willingness of prophet Ibrahim to comply with God’s orders. God told Ibrahim to sacrifice his first son, Ismael, but at the last moment stopped him and asked Ibrahim to sacrifice a sheep instead.
Muslims start their celebration with morning prayers at the mosque, listening to a special sermon on the importance of sacrifice.
The Islamic calendar is based on the Moon’s movements. Many Muslim countries rely on eye-sighting of the crescent to determine the start of each month, while others base the calendar on astronomic charts
source:MoroccoWorldNews