What You Need to Know About Eid Al Adha

One of the most significant days on the Muslim calendar is Eid al- Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice”, which is observed in the United Arab Emirates and throughout the Muslim world. This year 2025, it’s been announced that Eid Al Adha will start on 

Eid al-Adha, like many other Muslim holidays, is a time for family and religious observance in the UAE. Given that Eid means "solemn festival," it is not surprising that Eid al-Adha is distinctly religious, with morning prayers at the mosque, listening to a sermon on the importance of sacrifice, wearing new clothes, and animal sacrifice (called qurbani) all playing an important role in how it is observed.

Eid al-Adha often lasts four days straight, beginning on the tenth day of the Islamic month Dhul Hijja. Also, the exact date is never set in stone until a government moon-sighting body confirms it.

Eid al-Adha celebrates the Quranic tale of Ibrahim unconditionally sacrificing Ishmael on Mount Moriah in response to Allah's mandate. Allah then sends an angel to halt the sacrifice, letting Ishmael live, and informs Ibrahim that his sacrifice "has already been accepted". Muslims who can afford it, both in the UAE and elsewhere, frequently go to Mecca around this time of year to participate in symbolic remembrances of Ibrahim's sacrifice.

Others, however, sacrifice an animal in their own country, typically a cow, but occasionally a camel, sheep, goat, or ram. Sacrificial animals must meet halal criteria, be the best the owner can provide, and be inspected by religious authorities. Animal sacrifice is forbidden in the UAE, both at home and in public, for health reasons.

Instead, they must be transported to one of the country's four designated slaughterhouses. For individuals who cannot afford to purchase a sacrifice goat on their own, family and group purchases are popular. The meat of the sacrificial animal is customarily divided into three portions. A third is maintained by the family, a third is distributed to friends and relatives, and a third is donated to the destitution.