Muslims in North America Celebrate Eid Al Adha on Sunday August 11
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
The Muslims in North America joined the world Muslims in celebrating Eid Al Adha on Sunday August 11, 2019.
While Eid Al Adha was celebrated in Saudi Arabia and in Arab countries on Sunday, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) Hijra calendar also calculated Eid Al Adha celebration on Sunday August 11.
ISNA’s Hijra calendar announced 15 years ago is now followed by at least 80 percent Mosques in the US.
Moonsighting Committee Worldwide (MCW) has also adopted the ISNA hijra calendar.
However, certain mosques and Islamic Centers follow Hilal Sighting Committee of North America, which follows the policy of sighting the crescent with the naked eye.
The Hilal Sighting Committee, had announced that August 2 will be the first day of Zilhajja and Eid Al Adha will be celebrated on Sunday August 11, 2019.
Similarly, the Hilal Committee of Toronto & Vicinity, which has around 80 Islamic Centers and mosques as members, had announced that August 2 will be the first day of Zilhajja and Eid Al Adha will be on Sunday August 11, 2019.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulates Canadian Muslims on Eid al-Adha
On Saturday August 10, Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, issued a statement congratulating the Muslims in Canada on Eid al-Adha. Trudeau said: "Today, let's celebrate Canada's Muslim communities, and the many contributions they make to shape our country for the better. It is also a chance to reflect on values like community service, compassion, and generosity. Whether supporting a local charity or being there for neighbors in need, Muslim Canadians show us the best of those values all year round.”
According to 2011 census there are little more than one million Muslims in Canada making Islam the second largest religion in the country after Christianity.
British Colombia premier John Horgan also congratulated
Canadian Muslims on Eid al-Adha. In his statement Horgan said:
"Today we join Muslim communities in British Columbia and around the world to mark the beginning of Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice. Eid al-Adha is one of the holiest celebrations in Islam and is a time to reflect on helping others and making the world a better place. Families and friends will gather to feast, exchange gifts and well wishes and provide food to less fortunate people.”
There were about 90,000 Muslims in Metro Vancouver in 2017, according to the Muslim Association of Canada.
Eid al-Adha and its connection with Hajj
The relationship between Eid al-Adha and Hajj is a hotly debated issue among Muslims in North America.
A majority of Muslims say that Eid al-Adha must be celebrated a day after the Wuquf (stay) in Arafat (Hajj).
A minority of Muslims argue that Eid al-Adha is not linked to the Day of Arafa or Hajj but is a separate Islamic event. Therefore Eid al-Adha must be observed in accordance with local moon sighting.
The proponents who believe that Eid al-Adha is not linked to Hajj, argue that:
Ramadan and Eid al-Adha was started by the Prophet from 2 AH in Madinah. The Hajj [in Islam] was started by the Prophet from 9 AH in Makkah. For 7 Years, Eid al-Adha was celebrated in Madinah before the start of Hajj in Makkah. History shows, start of Dhul Hijjah 10 AH in Madinah was different from Makkah.
Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah, the Executive Director of the Fiqh Council of North America says that the Fiqh Council has struggled with and researched this issue for some time. After careful study and consideration, the Council has reached the conclusion that Eid al-Adha will be following the Day of Hajj as announced in Makkah.
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