Hajj & Eid ul Adha

About two million Muslims from all over the world convene in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for an annual event, called Hajj. The pilgrimage (Hajj) is the fifth pillar of Islam performed on the 9th day of the last month of the Islamic calendar called Dhul Hijjah, Muslims perform the rites of Hajj on the footsteps of Prophet Abraham and his wife Hagar and both of whom hold a very high status in Islam. During Hajj Muslims wear a special clothing no matter who they are you and which color or race they may belong, giving a strong message of equality for all.
Every Muslim should go for Hajj once in his lifetime if he can financially afford it, is physically endure it, and there is no imminent danger to his life during the travel. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity or transgression will return (free from sins) as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him.”
Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, a feast of sacrifice which happens to be on the following day after Hajj. Muslims slaughter animals in remembrance of the sacrifice of Abraham. He dreamt that God asked him to slaughter his son Ishmael. The Qur’an says:
“And when he was old enough to work with him, he said, ‘O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering thee. So consider, what thou thinkest of it!’ He replied, ‘O my father, do as thou art commanded; thou wilt find me, if God please, of those who are patient’” (37: 103).
May we all learn to sacrifice our wishes for the sake of others to make this world a paradise.