Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid Al Adha or the feast of sacrifice. Eid is a special occasion in Qatar. Eid prayer congregations will be held at 610 mosques and grounds around the country at 5.01am today. Like the previous years, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will perform Eid prayers with citizens and receive well-wishers, including sheikhs, Ministers, Speaker of the Shura Council, undersecretaries of ministries, members of the Shura Council and citizens at Lusail Palace today. H H the Amir will also receive military and police officers, directors of national departments and institutions, and heads of diplomatic missions. The Amir has also exchanged Eid greeting with leaders of a number of Arab and Islamic countries on the occasion of Eid Al Adha.
The two main aspects of Eid Al Adha are the Haj pilgrimage millions of Muslims make to Makkah, and the ritual of sacrificing animals and distributing the meat among the people, especially the less-privileged. This year’s Haj pilgrimage is said to be one of the largest, as Saudi authorities have removed restrictions on the number of pilgrims for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Over 1.8 million pilgrims spent the day in prayer at Mount Arafat yesterday and in the evening left for Muzdalifa for the Maghrib and Isha prayers. Today, on the first day of Eid, the pilgrims will stone the devil in Mina and sacrifice the animals. Millions of pilgrims donning Ihram, a white dress, and sacrifice of hundreds of millions of animals around the world signify the spirit of equality and giving.
Qatar’s government has made elaborate arrangements for Qatari Haj pilgrims. Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Head of the Qatari Haj Mission H E Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanem also made an inspection tour of the camps of Qatari pilgrims in Mina and Arafah. He stressed the keenness of the wise leadership on providing the necessary care and best services for the country’s pilgrims.
The authorities have also finalised arrangements to help and facilitate people in sacrificing animals in a safe and hygienic manner. Municipalities across Qatar have readied beaches, parks and other public places to receive people during the Eid Al Adha holidays.
Qatar Tourism has also unveiled its comprehensive Eid Al Adha calendar, featuring a wide array of events and enticing offers for locals and tourists alike.
The calendar boasts an impressive lineup of 22 offers and events during the Eid period and the subsequent months, encompassing art exhibitions, sports activities, festivals, musical and theatrical performances, and hotel promotions.
