The Moroccan Ministry of Foundations and Islamic Affairs announced today (Oct 7) that Eid al-Adha, the"Feast of the Sacrifice," will be celebrated in Morocco on October 16th.
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A written statement on its official website said the crescent moon of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah had been observed and they thus calculated Eid al-Adha to begin on October 16.

The Islamic calender is based on the moon's movements and many Muslim communities rely on eye-sighting of the new moon crescent to mark the start of a month while some countries base the calender on astronomic charts.

Pakistani officials also publicized they would also celebrate Eid al-Adha as of October 16.

However, Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court announced Eid al-Adha would be observed starting from October 15.

The last month of the Islamic lunar calendar,"Dhu al-Hijjah" which literally means "Possessor of the Pilgrimage," marks when Muslim pilgrims from across the world congregate at Islam's holy capital Mecca to visit the Kaaba.

The Hajj (pilgrimage), one of the five pillars of Islam, is performed on the eighth, ninth and the tenth of this month.

The Day of Arafa, the eve of Eid al-Adha, takes place on the ninth of the month while Eid al-Adha begins on the tenth day and ends on the thirteenth.

[Image] Getting your sheep home is not always easy
Eid al-Adha is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide to honour the willingness of prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his young first-born son Ismail as an act of submission to Allah's command and his son's acceptance of being sacrificed, before Allah intervened to provide Ibrahim with a lamb to sacrifice instead.

During the Eid al-Adha, Muslims perform the Eid prayers and sacrifice their best halal livestock, such as a sheep, cow, goat or camel, in the name of Allah. The sacrifice is an obligation for affluent Muslims who can afford it, who share one-third of the meat with friends and neighbours while donating one-third or more to the needy.

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