What is Eid al-Adha?

Eid al-Adha, also known as the "Festival of Sacrifice", is an important Islamic holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world. It commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.

When is Eid al-Adha celebrated?

Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The exact date of Eid al-Adha varies each year based on the sighting of the moon.

How is Eid al-Adha celebrated?

1. Prayer: On the morning of Eid al-Adha, Muslims gather at mosques or open spaces to perform the Eid prayer, which consists of a sermon followed by a congregational prayer.

2. Sacrifice (Qurbani): One of the central rituals of Eid al-Adha is the sacrifice of an animal, such as a sheep, goat, cow, or camel. The meat from the sacrificed animal is then divided into three parts: one part for the family, one part for relatives and friends, and one part for the less fortunate.

3. Feasting and Giving: After the sacrifice, Muslims enjoy festive meals with family and friends. It is also a time for giving to those in need, through acts of charity and the sharing of food and resources.

4. Community and Family: Eid al-Adha is a time for strengthening bonds with family and friends, as well as reaching out to the broader community through acts of kindness and generosity.

Key Concepts and Themes

1. Submission to God: Eid al-Adha serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and submission to the will of God, as demonstrated by the actions of Ibrahim.

2. Generosity and Compassion: The emphasis on sharing the sacrifice with others underscores the values of generosity and compassion towards those in need.

3. Community and Unity: The celebration of Eid al-Adha fosters a sense of community and unity among Muslims, as well as promoting solidarity and support for one another.

Study Guide

What is the significance of Eid al-Adha in Islamic tradition?
Describe the story of Ibrahim and the significance of his willingness to sacrifice his son.
Explain the rituals and practices associated with Eid al-Adha, including the sacrifice and distribution of meat.
How does Eid al-Adha promote values such as generosity, compassion, and community unity?
Discuss the role of Eid al-Adha in strengthening the bonds within Muslim families and communities.
Compare and contrast Eid al-Adha with other Islamic holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr.
Reflect on the universal themes and lessons that can be gleaned from the observance of Eid al-Adha, regardless of one's religious background.

◂Social Studies Worksheets and Study Guides Sixth Grade. Ancient Trade Routes

The resources above cover the following skills:

National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (NCSS)

TIME, CONTINUITY, AND CHANGE

SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAMS SHOULD INCLUDE EXPERIENCES THAT PROVIDE FOR THE STUDY OF THE PAST AND ITS LEGACY.

KNOWLEDGE - Learners will understand:

The study of the past provides a representation of the history of communities, nations, and the world.

That learning about the past requires the interpretation of sources, and that using varied sources provides the potential for a more balanced interpretive record of the past.

That historical interpretations of the same event may differ on the basis of such factors as conflicting evidence from varied sources, national or cultural perspectives, and the point of view of the researcher.

Key historical periods and patterns of change within and across cultures (e.g., the rise and fall of ancient civilizations, the development of technology, the rise of modern nation-states, and the establishment and breakdown of colonial systems).

The contributions of key persons, groups, and events from the past and their influence on the present.

The influences of social, geographic, economic, and cultural factors an the history of local areas, states, nations, and the world.

National Center for History in Schools (NCHS)

Historical Thinking Standards

Chronological Thinking

Identify the temporal structure of a historical narrative or story.

Reconstruct patterns of historical succession and duration; explain historical continuity and change.

Historical Comprehension

Reconstruct the literal meaning of a historical passage.

Identify the central question(s) the historical narrative addresses.

Historical Analysis and Interpretation

Draw comparisons across eras and regions in order to define enduring issues.

Challenge arguments of historical inevitability.

Hold interpretations of history as tentative.

Historical Research Capabilities

Formulate historical questions.

Historical Issues-Analysis and Decision-Making

Identify issues and problems in the past.

Identify relevant historical antecedents.

United States History Content Standards

Era 1: Three Worlds Meet (Beginnings to 1620)

How early European exploration and colonization resulted in cultural and ecological interactions among previously unconnected peoples.

The student understands the stages of European oceanic and overland exploration, amid international rivalries, from the 9th to 17th centuries.

World History Content Standards

Era 2: Early Civilizations and the Emergence of Pastoral Peoples, 4000-1000 BCE

The major characteristics of civilization and how civilizations emerged in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus valley.

The student understands how Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus valley became centers of dense population, urbanization, and cultural innovation in the fourth and third millennia BCE.

The student understands how commercial and cultural interactions contributed to change in the Tigris-Euphrates, Indus, and Nile regions.

Major trends in Eurasia and Africa from 4000-1000 BCE.

The student understands major trends in Eurasia and Africa from 4000 to 1000 BCE.

Era 5: Intensified Hemispheric Interactions 1000-1500 CE

The maturing of an interregional system of communication, trade, and cultural exchange in an era of Chinese economic power and Islamic expansion.

The student understands how interregional communication and trade led to intensified cultural exchanges among diverse peoples of Eurasia and Africa.

Major global trends from 1000-1500 CE.

The student understands major global trends from 1000 to 1500 CE.