selamat aidil adha…

…to my muslim friends and all the muslim who dropped in here.

(picture taken from 123greetings.com)

i do not know much about this feast (aidladha or hari raya haji or hari raya korban) except 2 things – the haj pilgirmage and the slaughter of cows, of which the meat are distributed to all… but what is the significance behind these two acts? so i google around and found some answers. the simplest explanation on this feast can be found on the all malaysia info site. of course there is also the good ole’ wikipedia where you can find information on this feast.

i notice this at the all malaysia info site:

Aidiladha also commemorates the sacrifices made by the prophet Abraham (hence the word "korban" which means sacrifice), who demonstrated immense faith when he was put to the test by God. The prophet was commanded to offer his only son Ishmael up for sacrifice, and though it grieved him greatly, he made ready to perform the task. However, as he was about to strike his son, God stopped him and revealed that it was a trial. Ishmael’s life was spared, and a ram sacrificed in his place.

hmm… sound the same as found in the christian bible.

the flat unit where i stay is exactly opposite a surau, and since the road is not a main road, the distance between the surau and the unit is very near. below our unit is a small car park and next to the car park is an empty field (but with overgrown, tall grasses). it is hear that, every year during hari raya korban, i’ll get to see some cows grazing there! yep, as with this year, last night, around 10.00pm, i saw a lorry fetching 4 cows and dumping them on the field. now even as i write, i can hear the cry of a cow! i understand that these cows will be slaughtered right there on the field and the meat will be distributed in the surau. i heard from my neighbour that the people from the mosque had invited everyone, even us non muslim to the surau for some feast… er… feast of the sacrificed cow?.

there was one year, when my mother was on her way home from the morning market, she saw the cows being slaughtered right there on the field. eek! i don’t think i have the heart to see the cows being killed… though of course i know it is for a good intention. well i will not have the heart to see any animals being killed for food! maybe i should go vegetarian. haha. ok back to the feast.