For Millions of Muslims, It’s A Weekend of Prayer and Feast!

Awareness and understanding promote tolerance. Acknowledgement and recognition give credibility and respect. These are the tenets for inclusion in a multicultural society. February 2, 2004 is Eid-Ul-Adha, one of two very important annual Islamic festivals. It is also an opportunity to bring cultures closer together through increased understanding. Eid-Ul-Adha is celebrated after the important annual hajj, or pilgrimage, to the city of Mecca. It is also known as the “Feast of Sacrifice” or “Day of Sacrifice.” It is an occasion marked by prayer, forgiveness, charity, and celebration. Muslims around the world gather together to share meals and gifts during this joyful holiday. During this tenuous time in our country and around the world, learning about an unfamiliar culture or sharing your own culture with others can help to break down stereotypes and misconceptions and can increase understanding. The Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance hope to do just that by providing detailed information on specific religions (from the well-known to the not-so-well-known) and religion in general, as well as related social, scientific, and moral issues. Visit the site below to learn more about today's holiday, the Muslim faith, or any other religion you may have questions about. Included are resources for teachers to use in class as well as for parents to use for informing their children.

The Feast Of Sacrifice:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/isl_feast.htm
Yahooligans! Ask Earl:
http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/content/ask_earl/category?c=58
British Library Special Books Gallery:
http://www.blewa.co.uk/project4/children/C4_0.htm
Some Thoughts on Eid-ul-Adha
http://www.soundvision.com/Info/misc/eidbreak.asp
The Hajj Ending in Eid-ul-Adha:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/islam/eid_haj.shtml
Eid ul-Adha, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_ul-Adha

Page Updated: February 10, 2005