Eid al Adha
It's the Eid al Adha. This celebration takes places 40 days after the holy month of Ramadan. The purpose of this big feast is to recognize when Abraham took his first born son up Mt. Moriah, to sacrifice him in obedience to God.
The Bible teaches (Genesis 22) that this historic event included his first born son, Isaac, from his wife Sarah. Muslims are taught it is his first born son in general, Ishmael, who was the son of Sarah's maid, Hagar. The Old Testament teaches Ishmael was not the promised son; he was not born by Abraham's wife. It was the sin of Sarah's impatience and encouragement of her husband's infidelity which produced Ishmael. The Muslims have a different perspective on this.
Many find themselves relieved when they get to the part of the text where it is written that God did not require Abraham to go through with the sacrificing of his son, but instead provided a ram. Each year, Muslims sacrifice a live animal in recognition of this event.
Here are some pictures I have taken of life in Egypt during this special time.
Before
The Bible teaches (Genesis 22) that this historic event included his first born son, Isaac, from his wife Sarah. Muslims are taught it is his first born son in general, Ishmael, who was the son of Sarah's maid, Hagar. The Old Testament teaches Ishmael was not the promised son; he was not born by Abraham's wife. It was the sin of Sarah's impatience and encouragement of her husband's infidelity which produced Ishmael. The Muslims have a different perspective on this.
Many find themselves relieved when they get to the part of the text where it is written that God did not require Abraham to go through with the sacrificing of his son, but instead provided a ram. Each year, Muslims sacrifice a live animal in recognition of this event.
Here are some pictures I have taken of life in Egypt during this special time.
Before
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and after... |
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| Everyone out getting ready for the feast! But don't be fooled... Typical days in Egypt look like this as well. |
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| My bloody street |
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| Big meat
Also, some Muslims do extra charity work during this time because they are taught it earns "extra points" with God. I was invited to go with a friend and help her sort through clothes at a donation center. We had a blast! Nesma was very gracious with me by answering all of my questions about the feast time. I gained a lot of insight through talking with her.
One of the most important elements of my being in the Middle East, is the opportunities I have had to learn from people...primary sources...which greatly contrasts with the distortions of our American media.
    Never a dull moment :) |
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