Eid al-Adha

For the more than 3 million Muslims in the US, Eid al-Adha is one of the most important dates in the calendar. How do they celebrate?

Is Eid al-Adha a Public Holiday?

Although Eid al-Adha is not a public holiday, businesses and schools may be closed because it falls on the same date as Juneteenth Freedom Day in 2024, which is a public holiday in Utah.

Festival of Sacrifice

Eid al-Adha (also spelled Eid ul-Adha) is a Muslim holiday that revolves around the concept of sacrifice. The holiday’s name is Arabic and translates as Festival or Feast of Sacrifice.

Introduced by the Prophet Muhammad during his lifetime, the observance is inspired by the story of the Prophet Ibrahim. According to the Quran, Ibrahim follows a command from Allah (God) to kill his son, Ismail. As Ibrahim prepares for the sacrifice, God replaces Ismail with a ram.

A similar story appears in the Holy Scriptures of Christianity and Judaism, though there are some differences. Most importantly, God commands Abraham (Ibrahim) to kill his other son, Isaac, instead of Ishmael (Ismail).

Eid Celebrations in the US

Like in other parts of the globe, Muslims in the United States usually celebrate Eid al-Adha with prayer, giving to charity, and enjoying a festive meal.

The custom of sacrificing an animal at home, widely practiced in predominantly Muslim countries, is less common in the US.

Morning Eid Prayers

On the morning of Eid al-Adha, Muslims typically dress up in their finest clothes and assemble at the local mosque to pray together and hear a sermon.

At the end of the service, people wish each other Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid) and may exchange small gifts.

Do US Muslims Sacrifice Animals?

Animal sacrifice on Eid al-Adha is a widespread custom in Muslim countries. People slaughter sheep, cows, or camels if they can afford it. They then distribute some of the meat among the poor and their friends.

This practice is much less common in the US. American Muslims often give money to charitable organizations that may distribute meat or provide other kinds of support to needy Muslim families at home or abroad.

Those who opt to sacrifice an animal may commission a slaughterhouse instead of killing it themselves.

A Family Feast

Later in the day, people usually meet with their family and friends to enjoy a festive meal together.

Muslims in the US have cultural roots from all over the world—representing regions as diverse as Nigeria, Pakistan, and Indonesia—so the type of food varies greatly from one family to another.

Generally, Eid al-Adha is famous for its extensive selection of savory dishes, which is how the commemoration has earned its moniker, Salty Eid. (Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan fasting, features mostly sweet food and is aptly called the Sweet Eid.)

Presidential Eid Greeting

The US president traditionally issues an official Eid greeting. They may also visit a mosque or hold a celebratory event at the White House to mark the occasion.

Some May Celebrate in Mecca

Some US Muslims may not celebrate Eid al-Adha at home because the observance coincides with the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

For Muslims, the Hajj is one of the most sacred religious duties, on par with other central obligations like praying and fasting. Generally, every Muslim is expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life.

When Is Eid? It’s Complicated…

The easy part first: Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth month in the Muslim calendar.

However, the dates of Islamic holidays are difficult to determine, and Eid is no exception. The Muslim lunar calendar relies on actual Moon sightings, so the date of Eid is usually up for discussion until the Waxing Crescent Moon has been spotted in the evening sky following the New Moon phase. (This is why we mark dates of Muslim holidays as “Tentative Date” on our holiday pages and may adjust them as soon as the official date has been announced.)

At the same time, the Islamic calendar year is about 11 days shorter than the year in the western Gregorian calendar, so Eid falls on an earlier Gregorian date every year.

Muslim communities also follow different rules about how exactly to determine the date. So, even within the US, some communities may celebrate Eid on a different date than others.

Complicating things even further, some Muslims may celebrate the holiday for up to three days while others observe only the first day.