Eid al-Adha 2020: History, Significance, Date, Celebrations And More To Know About 'Festival Of Sacrifice'

Bakra Eid or Bakrid is marked by sacrificing an animal that is close to people to prove their devotion and love for Allah.

Lucknow: Traders selling goats wait for customers ahead of Eid-ul-Adha festival, during Unlock 2, in Lucknow, Thursday, July 30, 2020. (PTI Photo/Nand Kumar)

Eid al-Adha also known as 'Bakrid', 'Bakra Eid' or the 'Festival of the Sacrifice' is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year. On this day, people gather to celebrate the day with feasts, prayers, exquisite clothing and parades. Many people also take part in the annual Hajj pilgrimage and sacrifice an animal to prove their devotion to god. Eid al-Adha Celebration Date As per the Islamic lunar calendar, millions of Muslims around the world observe Eid al-Adha on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah. As per the date announced by Saudi Arabia, the Islamic holy festival will be marked on Friday, July 31 this year. Few reports have quoted Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid as saying  Eid al-Adha will be celebrated in India on August 1 as the moon was not sighted on the night of July 21. Gurugram: People buy vermicelli at Jama Masjid market ahead of Eid al-Adha festival, in Gurugram. PIC/PTI Eid al-Adha History & Significance Bakra Eid or Bakrid is marked by sacrificing an animal that is close to them to prove their devotion and love for Allah. Each year, people buy goats or sheep a day prior for sacrifice for commemorating Ibrahim (Abraham) who was to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God's command. The scarified animal is then divided into three parts. One share is given to the poor and needy, another is kept for home, and the third is given to relatives. Srinagar: Women buy bakery at a shop, ahead of Eid-ul-Adha festival, in Srinagar, Thursday, July 30, 2020. (PTI Photo/S. Irfan) Eid al-Adha Rituals & Celebrations On the regular days, many Muslim people take part in the annual Hajj pilgrimage during the Eid al-Adha besides the animal-sacrifice ritual. However, with the outbreak of contagious Coronavirus, Eid celebrations this years are likely to be different as Muslims won’t be able to celebrate the day in large gatherings. In the wake of Coronavirus pandemic across the world, the Government of India has decided that no Muslim from India will travel to Saudi Arabia to take part in the Islamic practice of performing Hajj. The move has come after the Saudi Arabian authorities have drastically cut down the number of pilgrims arriving for Hajj. Several state governments have issued advisory stating that the ban on all the religious programmes continues and so, the people must offer Namaz in their homes, and not in mosques. It further said that animals for the purpose of sacrifice should be bought online or over the phone this time as markets dealing with them will remain closed.