Pakistani vendors ready sacrificial animals in run-up to Eid al-Adha

Vendors in the northern Pakistani city of Peshawar have readied their livestock for sale and slaughter, decorating camels, sheep and goats with flowers and colorful ornaments at markets nationwide in the days leading up to the annual Eid alAdha, or feast of sacrifice, on Tuesday.

Though originally anticipated to land days earlier, on Sept. 11, the Saudi Arabian Supreme Court announced the sighting of a new moon later than anticipated, delaying the start of the sacrificial feast for Islamic countries worldwide.

Many Muslims living in European and North American countries were relieved that the second most important Islamic holiday did not fall on the anniversary of 9/11, according to the USbased Council on AmericanIslamic Relations (CAIR).

“Many American Muslims understandably worry that Islamhaters will use this juxtaposition of our EidalAdha celebrations and the 15th observance of 9/11 to falsely claim that Muslims are celebrating a tragedy,” said CAIR representative Zainab Chaudry in a message posted on Facebook.

Sept. 11 this year will mark 15 years since four terrorist attacks were launched through plane hijackings and crashes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in New York City and Washington, respectively, killing more than 3,000 people including emergency personnel, an act also condemned globally by moderate Muslims.

“To my concerned Muslim brothers and sisters, my message is simple: We are not responsible for 9/11. Our religion does not condone terror. Our communities have grieved and suffered alongside our friends and neighbors of all faiths,” Chaudry added, urging Muslim communities overseas not to “downplay” the ritual due to fear of social reprisal.

Eid alAdha is a festival marking the devotion of the Muslim Prophet Ibrahim to Allah, when he was prepared to kill his own son but was saved at the last minute when Allah decreed an animal be killed instead, according the Islam About portal.

By commemorating Ibrahim’s trials, the ritual is meant to function as a reminder of the sacredness of life. The meat is traditionally shared among communities, with onethird eaten by relatives, onethird given to friends and onethird donated.

“For those who need to take a life in order to survive, then let them do so humbly and with respect for the life they are forced to take, showing as much mercy and compassion as humanely possible,” writes Islamic vegetarian blogger Shahid Ali Muttaqi in a post on the Animals in Islam website.

Pakistanis will celebrate the threeday holiday starting on Sept. 13, though in Arab countries the official holiday can last up to 12 days to include the Hajj pilgrimage.