Hawaii Muslims Mark Eid Ul-Adha (Festival Of Sacrifice) With Prayers For Peace And Celebration

On Tuesday February 11, 2003, few hundred Muslims in Hawaii joined by many community leaders and friends, will celebrate Eid ul-Adha (The Festival of Sacrifice).

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HAWAII MUSLIMS MARK EID UL-ADHA (Festival of Sacrifice) WITH PRAYERS FOR PEACE AND CELEBRATION

On Tuesday February 11, 2003, few hundred Muslims in Hawaii joined by many community leaders and friends, will celebrate Eid ul-Adha (The Festival of Sacrifice). This year’s festivities will InshaAllah (God Willing) start with prayers at 8:45 a.m. at the Kapiolani Park #4 across from the aquarium.

Eid ul-Adha is one of the only two festivities of the Muslim calendar. It concludes the Pilgrimage to Mecca, which brings together Muslims of all races and tongues for one of life's most moving spiritual experiences. For over 14 centuries, countless millions of Muslims, men and women from all over the world, have made the pilgrimage to Mecca, the birthplace of Islam. In carrying out this obligation, they fulfill one of the five "pillars" of Islam, or central religious duties of the believer.

The Eid is celebrated throughout the Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice everything for God, including the life of his son Ishmael.

There are an estimated 3000 Muslims in Hawaii, 8-10 million in America and some 1.3 billion worldwide. Muslims in Hawaii will commemorate this occasion with an early Morning Prayer service followed by a community breakfast, festivities and lunch. In keeping with the tradition of Eid, Hawaii Muslims will dress up in new or special clothes, visit friends and relatives, hold Eid gatherings or parties, and give gifts to their children. Muslims also greet each other by saying "Eid Mubarak" (EED-moo-BAR-ak), meaning "blessed Eid,”

Because this is a religious service, reporters and photographers of both sexes should dress modestly. That means no shorts for men or short skirts for women. Photographers should arrive early to get into position for the best shots. Photographers are also advised not to step directly in front of worshipers and to seek permission for close-up shots. Shots of shoes removed for prayer, and rear-angle shots of prostrating worshipers, are considered inappropriate and clichéd.

For more information, contact Hakim Ouansafi at (808) 947-6263 Ext: 03 or via e-mail at hakim@iio.org

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