Photo By Master Sgt. Daryl Knee | Service members watch the crowd of gathered Muslims for the Eid al-Adha celebration at...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan – Hundreds of Muslims from across the world gathered together, Nov. 16, at Kandahar Airfield for the start of a three-day celebration called Eid al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice.
The festival began at the completion of Hajj, the world’s largest annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. On Eid al-Adha, Muslims share and distribute food and meats to family, friends and those less fortunate commemorating Abraham’s willingness to follow God’s command to sacrifice his son.
In a statement issued Monday, U.S. President Barrack Obama expressed his good wishes to nearly 1.57 billion Muslims worldwide and said that the religious holiday serves as "a reminder of the shared values and the common roots of three of the world's major religions [Islam, Judaism and Christianity].”
After a sermon led by Maj. Shafiqullah, religious and cultural officer, Afghan National Army, 205th Corps, Kandahar Air Field’s Muslim population discussed the values inherent in Abraham’s test.
Shafiqullah said God knew that Abraham would be willing to sacrifice something dear to him, but he needed to ensure that the test would be remembered for the rest of time. The lesson had to be an example for the billions of people to come and travel across all time barriers.
“The problem of the world at the moment is that ‘it’s all about me,’” he said.
“There is no doubt that we have to look after ourselves,” he continued. “But at the same time, we shouldn’t forget others and their valuable perspective of life.”
That is why God didn’t ask Abraham to help an old woman cross the road, Shafiqullah said. That would be too easy. Instead, he tested Abraham to see if he would be willing to sacrifice his only son.
“This is an opportunity for us to acknowledge the sacrifices we make for God, and we acknowledge the love and respect we have for our community,” said U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Phrshin Jackson. “So this Eid is mostly focused about sacrifice and how you give those sacrifices when worshipping.”
“It’s a beautiful thing to see so many different people – people from different cultures and communities – standing side by side and worshipping God,” Jackson continued.
Jackson is a Muslim serving in the U.S. Navy who helped to coordinate the event.
The service was composed of coalition forces, Afghans, contractors and third-country nationals. After the ceremony ended, the worshippers shared embraces and shouts of jubilation.
When standing next to a Muslim brother, it feels like standing next to a sibling, said Zabiulla Khan, a Muslim at the event.
“So there is no difference between American, Indian, Canadian, there’s no difference,” he continued. “We are like brothers when we are standing in prayer.”
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2010 06:57 |
| Story ID: | 60310 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 176 |
| Downloads: | 6 |
This work, International brothers, sisters in faith gather at Kandahar Air Field for Eid al-Adha, by MSgt Daryl Knee, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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