AAMIR Abato, 30, wore his best clothes when he attended the morning salat, or prayer, at the Al-Khairiah Mosque in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City yesterday.
Abato said it is customary for Muslims to dress up during Eid’l Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice.
He told SunStar Cebu that for this holiday, he asked God for understanding among all Filipinos, especially those of different faiths.
After the morning prayer, members of Mambaling’s Muslim community conducted “qurbani,” or the sacrificing of livestock animals.
The practice depicts the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, as an act of obedience to God.
In the story, as Ibrahim prepares to sacrifice his son, the angel Jibra’il (Gabriel) stops him and puts a ram in his son’s place.
Ustadz Mohamed Helmie Abemor, imam of the Al-Khairiah Mosque, said Muslims are allowed to slaughter livestock for three days starting yesterday.
After the animals are slaughtered, they are divided among members of the community, with some to be given to those who are less fortunate.
But aside from the customs, Abemor said the message of Eid’l Adha is the importance of cooperation of all people, regardless of faith, to attain everlasting peace.
He said he also prays for an immediate solution to ongoing conflicts, such as in Marawi, where thousands of Muslims Filipinos have been displaced.