From sunset on Thursday the 26. November and until sunset on Monday the 30. November Turkey is celebrating Kurban Bayram. On these days all public offices, banks and schools will be closed. Also some shopping centers will have reduced opening hours.
Kurban Bayram, also called Eid al-Adha or in English "Festival of Sacrifice" or "Greater Eid"; is a holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God.
Kurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha) is the latter of two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims, whose basis comes from the Quran. Like Seker Bayram (Eid al-Fitr), Kurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha) begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon.
Kurban Bayram (Eid al-Adha) annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja of the lunar Islamic calendar. The festivities last for three days or more depending on the country. Eid al-Adha occurs the day after the pilgrims conducting Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. It happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.
During Kurban Bayram men, women, and children are expected to dress in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayer in a large congregation in an open area or mosque. Muslims who can afford to do so sacrifice their best animals (usually sheep, but also camels, cows and goats) as a symbol of Ibrahim's sacrifice. The sacrificed animals have to meet certain age and quality standards or else the animal is considered an unacceptable sacrifice. Generally, these must be at least a year old.
The regular charitable practices of the Muslim community are demonstrated during Kurban Bayram by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished person is left without sacrificial food during these days.
Distributing meat among people is considered an essential part of the festival during this period, as well as chanting Takbir out loud before the Eid prayer on the first day and after prayers through out the four days of Eid. Families that do not own livestock can make a contribution to a charity that will provide meat to those who are in need.
Photo: "These eyes are hoping for you. Come on! Holiday clothes and a pot with meat - let's go celebrate Kurban Bayram!"
