The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, India celebrated Eid al-Adha on Sunday, 10 July 2022. In Qadian, the national headquarters of the Community, Eid prayers were attended by the members residing in Qadian as well as people from other surrounding villages. After prayers and the Eid sermon, guests coming from outside of the town were served food outside the Eid venue.

Eid al-Adha falls on the 10^th day of the Islamic lunar month Zu al-Hijjah, i.e. on the third day of the Hajj pilgrimage, which is the fifth pillar of Islam. It is obligatory upon every able-bodied Muslim to perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime. Eid al-Adha or the Eid of Sacrifice is celebrated in commemoration of the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim^as, his wife Hazrat Hajar^as, and their son Prophet Ismail^as. Hajj constitutes rituals that reflect the sacrifice made by these three holy figures.

The Holy Quran reminds us that the flesh and blood of the slaughtered animal do not reach God. Instead, it is the righteous intention of the person performing the sacrifice, and his passion to fulfil his duties to God and fellow human beings that reach God. In other words, Eid celebration, Hajj pilgrimage, and the sacrificing of animals are not mere physical rituals that one ought to perform. Instead, they carry an inner spirit that draws man’s attention towards a greater motive which is to fulfil the responsibilities they owe to their Creator and fellow creatures. The physical rituals serve as a symbolic representation of those objectives and remind man of his purpose in life. This true spirit of sacrifice can be seen to have culminated in the person of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa who dedicated his life, wealth and entire possessions to the cause of God and the service of mankind.

Hence, while celebrating Eid al-Adha and performing physical sacrifice, a Muslim is actually renewing his pledge and declaring his readiness to offer any sacrifice for the cause of God and service of humanity.

On this blessed occasion of Eid al-Adha, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, India extends the message that we should sacrifice our personal desires for the greater good of society and should strive to fulfil the rights of others irrespective of religion, faith, colour or race. Only then can we say that we have fulfilled the purpose of celebrating Eid. On this occasion, we also pray for the establishment of global peace and especially for the progress of our beloved nation.