Tanueer Mahmood
The Macau Mosque and Cemetery is more crowded than usual these days as members of the local Muslim community gather to mark the Eid al-Adha – a festival held to remind themselves of their obedience to Allah (God).
Women, men, and children gathered yesterday at the local Mosque to eat, pray, and appreciate the importance of sacrifice and devotion to Allah.
Tanueer Mahmood, a member of the Macau Muslim community, told the Times that the festival is held “in memory of prophet Abraham who was willing to sacrifice his son under the God’s command.” “Because he obeyed god’s command, Allah was very pleased and sent him a sheep from heaven for him to sacrifice [instead of his son],” he explained.
According to the story, Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, in a dream, to demonstrate his devotion to God. When he was about to sacrifice his own son, God gave him an animal to kill instead.
The “festival of sacrifice” also marks the end of the annual holy Islamic pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca.
“Every year we go to the slaughter house and arrange a sheep and a cow to slaughter. We then eat them together,” Mr Mahmood recalled.
In many Muslim countries, communities sacrifice animals such as a sheep, goat or cow. They should eat one third of the meat, share one-third with friends and neighbors and then donate one-third to people in need.
Mr Mahmood recalled that prior to the Eid al-Adha holy days, Muslims around the world would have to fast for one month. “One month of fasting to please God,” he stressed.
“For over a month we’re fasting and worshiping Allah, and we pray. After one month, Allah tells us that we can now enjoy. You should come together, eat, pray, and declare devotion to him. And feel grateful for all of the things he’s given you,” he noted.
He estimates that hundreds of community members joined celebrations at the mosque yesterday. Other members of the community chose to cross the border to join festival celebrations at the Huaisheng Mosque in Guangzhou.
Mr Mahmood, who originally hails from Pakistan, says that people attending celebrations come from many different countries, including Indonesia, Europe, and several other countries in Africa. “I am Pakistani, other people here are from Indonesia, Africa… but we are like brothers because we believe in one God. We’re all the same,” he stressed.
Mr Mahmood has spent the past seventeen years in Macau, where he says he has always felt welcomed. “I feel truly happy here, people are polite,” he assured, adding that while living here Muslim community members do not face any major challenges.
Macau’s safe environment is among things he treasures the most here. “I am very happy that Macau is a very peaceful place. Everywhere you go here there are no disturbances, no issues. People treat us like brothers,” he confirmed.
Islamic associations in Macau and Hong Kong believe that there is a growing Muslim community in the region, partly due to an increase in the number of migrant workers from Indonesia.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry released a statement yesterday extending his best wishes to Muslims around the globe for a blessed Eid al-Adha.
“Eid al-Adha is a special time when Muslims pause to appreciate the importance of sacrifice and devotion. It provides an opportunity for renewed spirituality, prayer, and reflection, and for families and friends to gather in celebration and thanks for the many blessings of God,” he said.
“But it is also a time for charity and for helping those who are less fortunate including the many adults and children forced to flee violence in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia,” Kerry added.
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