Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Rochester Hills celebrates Eidul-Adha

The year 2020 has been a unique year with the nation facing risks of the widespread COVID-19 pandemic and many state and federal agencies limiting non-essential businesses and restricting public gatherings.

Under these circumstances, community members across the US were advised to offer the Eid prayers at their homes. National umur-e-amma (general affairs) department circulated respected Mirza Maghfoor Ahmad, the National President's instructions regarding Eid along with ‘Eid-ul-Adha Home Guide’ to offer the Eid prayers at homes.

Eid-ul-Adha was celebrated on Friday, July 31, 2020.

Although, members were not able to offer the Eid prayers at the Mosque, Detroit Jama’at distributed gift packs of traditional sweets and chocolates to each family's home to share the happiness at this blessed and happy occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.

Many members spent hours to arrange, prepare and distribute the Eid gift packs for each family.

Most of the community members offered Eid prayers with their families at their homes. Eid prayers were followed by Eid Sermon that included summary of the Eid sermon of Khalifatul-Masih V, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community). Salient points of His Holiness's Eid sermon were mentioned in the summary. At the conclusion of Eid Sermon, silent prayers were offered.

A small number of members offered Eid prayers at Masjid Mahmood as well. Imam Shamshad Nasir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community led the Eid prayers and delivered his Eid Sermon where he read the key points from the Eid Sermon of His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered on July 31, 2020 at the Mubarak Mosque, Islamabad, Tilford, UK.

Referring to Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul-Masih V (aba) Eid Sermon, Imam Shamshad Nasir mentioned that His Holiness said, “Today we are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha, known as the festival of sacrifice. It serves as a reminder of that example of sacrifice set over 4000 years ago. Despite so much time having elapsed, the believers have kept this memory alive and it has not diminished. Yet there will be those who celebrate this Eid merely as a festival, who sacrifice animals merely as an occasion of happiness. However, a true believer remembers the importance of that sacrifice and the spirit of that sacrifice and remembers it as it should be remembered.”

His Holiness further said, “recounting this sacrifice of a father and son makes a true believer emotional. There are certain pains in the world which one forgets eventually, and they move on with life. But this incident is one which God Almighty preserved in the Holy Qur’an, thus making it a memory, and a standard for eternity; and how lofty an example it is. A man reaches close to the age of 90 and only then is granted a son. Then he receives the commandment from God to sacrifice his only son. How great an example of sacrifice this is of Abraham (as), that upon hearing this commandment he lay his son down and was ready to sacrifice him.”

At the end, Imam Shamshad Nasir concluded the Eid sermon with silent prayers and conveyed the Eid Mubarak to all members.

In his message President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Rochester Hills, Maqbool Tahir said, “I hope we had the opportunity to celebrate this Eid at the Mosque and meet each other but due to current situation this is not possible for the most. Your Halqa Nigran (neighborhood leader) will deliver a small Eid gift for your family today or tomorrow from Detroit Jama’at, InshaAllah. Eid Mubarak to you and your family”

May Allah reward abundantly all the volunteers who not only prepared the Eid gift packs but also delivered to member's homes.

About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans over 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is among the oldest American-Muslim organizations.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad.

The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and re-institute morality, justice, and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.