DUSHANBE, September 25, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- This year, Tajikistan marks Idi Qurbon, or Eid al-Adha in Arabic, on October 26, the Council of Ulamo (an Islamic council that issues fatwas and religious guidance to Islamic religious organizations) said.

Eid al-Adha, "Festival of Sacrifice" or "Greater Eid," is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to God, but instead was able to sacrifice a ram (by God''s command).  Eid is also about spending time with family and friends, sacrifice, and thanksgiving for being able to afford food and housing.  In traditional or agrarian settings, each family would sacrifice a domestic animal, such as a sheep, goat, cow, or camel, by slaughter (though some contemporary Muslims do not sacrifice an animal as part of their observance, it is still a very popular tradition, even in Muslim communities in Europe).  The meat would then be divided into three equal parts to be distributed to others.  The family eats one third, another third is given to other relatives, friends or neighbors, and the other third is given to the poor as a gift.

Eid al-Adha is the latter of two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims.  Like Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon (khutbah).

The festive prayer will start across the country at 7:45 am.  In Dushanbe, the festive prayer will be held at the city central mosque.