Happy Sacrifice Feast

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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The Sacrifice Feast, also called "Eid al-Adha" and one of the two most important feasts of Islam together with the Ramadan, started today (July 31).

The Sacrifice Feast is celebrated for four days as of the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah month according to Hegira Calendar. The feast, which started today this year according to the Gregorian calendar, will end on August 3.

This year, as part of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) measures, authorities warn citizens to observe pandemic measures in exchanging greetings.

In statements by governor's offices; mass gatherings to exchange greetings for the feast have been banned in Antep, all mass events including those for the feast have been banned in Karabük, mass visits to cemeteries have been banned in Zonguldak and mass gatherings for greetings and mass dinners have been banned in Rize till August 3.

In Zonguldak, dinner organizations and events organized to exchange greetings for the feast in large groups have been banned.

The Sacrifice Feast is also when Muslims make pilgrimage in Mecca.

As the Hegira calendar is a lunar calendar, one year in the Hegira calendar is 11-12 days shorter than one year in the Gregorian calendar. Thus, each year, the Sacrifice Feast is celebrated 11-12 days earlier than the previous year.

The Sacrifice Feast falls on the same period once in approximately every 33 years. We wish everyone a healthy and happy feast without violence. (AÖ/SD)