Muslim Festivals

Question 1

Eid-ul-Fitr

Answer 1

falls last day of month Ramadan(Ramazan) - 9th month of Islamic Calendar

First day of month if Shawwal and after appearance of moon

Question 2

Eid-ul-Zuha or Eid-al-Adha

Answer 2

Sacrifies of a goat
10th day of the Dhu-al-Hijjah(12th month of Islamic cal)

in honour of Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to Allah to agreed to cut off his son head but merciful god took goat’s head

Marks the begining of sacred period for Hajj ( Pilgrimage to Mecca)

Question 3

Milad-un-Nabi

Answer 3

Marks birth and death anniversary of Prophet Muhammad

Rabial-Awwal (third month of Islamic calendar)

The festival called Barah Wafat signifies 12 days of sickness that led to Prophet Muhammad death - special significance in Kashmir where relics of Prophet are displayed in the Hazratbal Shrine (Shrinagar )

Question 4

Muharram

Answer 4

Death of Hussain’s son Ali

Falls on first month of Islamic Calendar which is Muharram

10th day of the month of Muharram by Shia Muslims

People take out processions called Tazia and beat themselves with chains to replicate the pains taken by Hussain
distribute juice/sherbet

Question 5

Shab-e-Barat

Answer 5

Night of Emancipation
on month of Sha’ban (14th and 15th day)
the destiny of person is determined (according of muslim tradition)

**Most Shia Muslims celebrate 15th day of Sha’ban as birth if Imam Muhammad al -Mahdi (12th Imam)

Question 6

Shab-e-Miraj

Answer 6

mean Nigh of Ascent
believed the holy prophet continued his Journey and reached the Almighty

on this journey that five daily prayers were made obligatory