As their brothers and sisters half a world away complete an ancient pilgrimage of faith, Denver-area Muslims will gather Tuesday for congregational prayer and reflect on the meaning of sacrifice.
One of the most important holidays in Islam, Eid al-Adha is a four-day feast period that begins Tuesday. It marks the end of the annual hajj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca.
For Muslims, making the arduous trek to holy sites in the Saudi Arabian city at least once in their lives is one of the five pillars of their faith.
About 2 million people take part each year. Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice, to commemorate Abraham’s readiness to obey God’s will by agreeing to sacrifice his son.
In Denver, two Eid prayers are scheduled Tuesday: one at 7:30 a.m. at the Denver Marriott Tech Center, 4900 S. Syracuse St., and a second at 8:30 a.m. at the Colorado Muslim Society, or Masjid Abu Bakr, at 2071 S. Parker Road.
Imam Sheikh Ishaq Taha, director of the Jerusalem Supreme Fatwa Council, will conduct the prayer and perform the traditional Eid sermon at both.
