Hari Raya Haji

Hari Raya Haji, or the "pilgrimage festival" marks the end of a Muslim's pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice which commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's test of obedience in sacrificing his son Ismail. In Malaysia, Hari Raya Haji is a public holiday.

Background
Hari Raya Haji (Aidil Adha) falls on 10 Zulhijjah, the 10th day of 12th month of the Muslim calendar. The Muslim calendar, unlike the 365-day Gregorian calendar is 11 days shorter, with the months alternating between 29 and 30 days.

On this day, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Muslims worldwide sacrifice sheep, cows or camels for the sake of religion and community. It is done in remembrance of the sacrifice undertaken by Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Ismail, where, at the last moment, a ram appeared in his place.

Hari Raya Haji also marks the end of the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Muslims gather in Mecca to perform the pilgrimage, which is the fifth pillar of Islam.

Description
Male volunteers at mosques or Muslim institutions usually perform the sacrificial slaughtering after the Hari Raya Haji congregational prayers. This sacrificial slaughtering, also known as korban, is a voluntary act. Sheep, goats and cows are ritually slaughtered as sacrifice. Later the meat is then distributed to the community, neighbours, and relatives with special attention to the needy and poor, as a reminder to share one's wealth with others. Muslim Singaporeans are increasingly doing korban with Muslim associations and mosques, local and abroad.

During the sacrifice, prayers are uttered and the sheep's throat is slit with razor sharp knives. This act must be done with confidence and quickly, so as to minimise hurt and mishandling to the animal. This is in accordance with the Islamic law where halal does not literally mean that the food neither contains pork nor lard, but it has to be slaughtered according to proper Islamic rights.