Arabeyes: Celebrating Eid Al Adha  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid Al Adha – which commemorates Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael for Allah (God). It also culminates the Hajj, an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which has this year attracted more than 2 million people. Here's how bloggers from the region marked the occasion.
Palestine:
From Palestine Dr Mona El Farra , who lives in Gaza, talks about efforts which are currently underway to help the needy. She writes:
while iam writing this entry , volunteers distribute meat for approximately 1500 families in diffrent parts of Gaza Strip , jabalia , Gaza City , beit hanoun ,Magazi camp , shatie , nusierat ,khan yunis ,in some areas, volunteers are distributing the Eid meat while under real danger , because of the israeli military operation against Gaza in (almagazi camp )
we managed to reach the most needy families ,and at the moment more than 75%of gaza families in Gaza live under poverty line ,
thanks to all who were keen to work this project with us in Gaza
El Farra also describes life under siege in this post:
Xmas time is so close, from Gaza I send my love, and best wishes for merry xmas and happy new year, I ask you while celebrating and rejoicing ,not to forget us in Gaza,to remeber the thousands of men , women and children who takes the worst brunt of continous unjust war , to spread the word of truth, to shake the world consciousness against the big war crimes that is happening in Gaza, the harsh inhuman collective punishment against my people, the occupation crimes that is committed under the pretence of Israel security and fighting terrorism!!
When it is late, it is not acceptable for the world to say: WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN GAZA
Libya:
In Libya, Khadija Teri describes how Eid is smoother away from the prying eyes of the extended family. She explains:
This is a first for us – The first Eid by ourselves (in 19 years). We've always done Eid with the entire family. Every year the family seems to get bigger, and noisier, and with that Eid becomes an unpleasant experience. This year we decided it was time to go it alone and it was wonderful. No crabby sister-in-laws or screaming babies, and best of all no brother-in-laws hanging about, so the girls and I could wear what we liked and leave our hair uncovered. Yeah!!!!
Lebanon:
In Lebanon, Sietske spends Eid on a boat ride, along with pictures.
She writes:
It’s the Eid in Beirut. Everything is closed today.
In the Cedars the ski slopes opened today. You can sea the snow in the mountains right here in Beirut. It’s pretty early; the season usually starts in January…
And you wouldn’t say it either, as I was basking in the sun at the Solidere Marina. They’ve got some nice yachts moored there. I visited one 10 million dollar yacht. Nice. Very nice. “If you like it so much, ask your husband to buy you one,” said the man. Yeah, right. I’ll settle for the $500,000 model any time.
And then goes on a boat ride.
Photo credit: Sietske
Still in Lebanon, Ahmad offers us reasons as to why Eid celebrations do not start on one day across the Muslim world. He writes:
I wish a Happy and Blessed Adha Eid for everyone of you despite the confusion whether the Eid starts Wednesday, Thursday or Friday (or even later). This makes me wonder why would it be so difficult to agree on a unified Eid!?
Among the reasons he cites are:
Explanation 1:
In my humble opinion, the authoritative sheikh in KSA, who also happens to be the employee of the Saudi king, is using a defective calculator ..
Explanation 3:
A third explanation which also makes perfect sense is that not all scholars are spotting the same moon.
Explanation 5:
They spot something else – other than the moon.
Kuwait:
From Kuwait, Fonzy  shows us with pictures the shopping frenzy for Eid. He describes the situation as follows:
Past two days I went to Avenues to Boggi to buy a suit then pick it up next day.  The first day, it took me 15 mins to find parking.  Yesterday, it took me around 30 mins to find a spot and it was all the way next to IKEA.  Walking through the mall, you just keep bumping into people. Everyone is carrying all these shopping bags running from store to store, not to mention all those kids who walk around smoking and checking out girls.  Though crowded and noisy, it was nice seeing all these people out preparing to celebrate Eid with their new outfits and accessories.
Syria:
Our last stop is in Syria, where Hovic  shows us photographs of Aleppo at Eid and Christmas time.