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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, February 8, 2003

Muslims in Hawai'i to celebrate Eid festival

Advertiser Staff

The Muslim Association of Hawaii is celebrating Eid ul-Adha, the festival of sacrifice that celebrates the teachings of the prophet Ibrahim and is one of Islam's two major holidays.

The festival recalls the story of Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his own son out of obedience to God. God spared the son, and a sheep was sacrificed instead, thus Muslims eat lamb and beef that has been ritually slaughtered in keeping with the tradition of sacrifice.

Muslims in Hawai'i will commemorate this occasion with an early morning prayer service followed by a community breakfast, festivities and lunch.

"In keeping with the tradition of Eid, Hawai'i Muslims will dress up in new or special clothes, visit friends and relatives, hold Eid gatherings or parties, and give gifts to their children," said Hakim Ouansafi, who heads the association.

The holiday comes at the end of hajj, the season when Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Muhammad. A pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the five pillars of Islam, or central religious duties.

The Eid will begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday at Kapi'olani Park No. 4, across from the Waikiki Aquarium. Festivities begin after 9 a.m. prayers.

For more information, contact the association: 947-6263 or iio.org on the Web.