Kurban Bayram, or the Feast of Sacrifice, is the second of the two great Islamic holidays celebrated by Muslims across the globe each year. Known as Eid al Adha in much of the Muslims world, this four day holiday begins on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar (June 16-19 in 2024). Kurban Bayram marks the end of the Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and commemorates Abraham’s willingness to obey God and sacrifice his son. Like the Genesis account of the story, God provides a ram as a substitute for his son. For Muslims, this sacrifice is done as a way to honor and remember Abraham’s obedience and has no connection to an atoning sacrifice.
The main tradition of Kurban Bayram is the slaughtering of a ritually acceptable animal -a sheep, goat, cow or camel. This is divided into three parts; one part for the family, one to give to the poor and the last third to share with friends and family. Typically the first day of Kurban Bayram starts at sunrise with prayers and then the animal is slaughtered. This holiday is a time to gather with family and friends. Schools let out for the holiday and adult children use this time to visit home if they have moved away. Everyone wears their best clothes, special sweets are made to accompany the large meals which the women spend all day preparing. Gifts are given and many stay up late into the night talking and enjoying relationships.
Kurban Bayram is a time when millions of Muslims across the Muslim world are remembering that God provided a sacrifice to die in place of Abraham’s son. Let’s join together in praying for Muslims to see that Jesus Christ is the true and final sacrifice who died so that all people might know forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
