HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut’s Muslim community gathered at the XL Center in Hartford on Wednesday morning for the start of the Eid al-Adah holiday.
The holiday – also known as the Feast of Sacrifice – is celebrated by Muslims all over the world for a period of three to four days. The majority of Muslims will attend special prayers, like those held at the XL Center.
“Muslims all over the world performed Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam yesterday in Mecca in Saudi Arabia and in solidarity of all the Muslims that are performing Hajj, Muslims all over the world are celebrating Eid al-Adha,” Mobashar Akram, general secretary of the Islamic Center of Connecticut, told FOX61 News.
The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims are required to undertake it at least once in their lives if they are physically and financially able to do so. For the pilgrims, it is a profound spiritual experience that wipes away sins, brings them closer to God, and highlights Muslim unity.
Hundreds of Connecticut Muslims gathered in Hartford, citing side-by-side as traditional prayers were recited.
The Feast of Sacrifice dates from the historical event when Prophet Abraham was commanded by God, in a form of a dream vision, to sacrifice his son, Ishmael. It is said that while in the act of sacrificing his son, God sent the Angel Gabriel with a huge ram and told Abraham that the dream vision was fulfilled and to sacrifice the ram as a ransom for his son.
“It’s a commemoration of the prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son as a result of the command of God,” Akram said. “And also a time to give gratitude and reflect on accomplishments.”
Mohamed Suleman, Imam of the Islamic Center of Connecticut, said families get together and give gifts.
“We show compassion towards each other, and we celebrate the blessings Allah gave us in our lives,” he said.
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin also attended on Wednesday, welcoming the crowd for the last time as mayor.
“It is always such a beautiful sight to see this room filled with families gathering together all across our state,” he said. “In prayer, in unity, in faith and today with that remembrance that even facing the biggest challenges that we keep the faith and God will provide.”
Symphonie Privett is a trending reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at sprivett@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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