Hari Raya Haji 2024

(above photo) Masjid al-Haram or the Great Mosque of Mecca

Hari Raya Haji, also known as Eid al-Adha or the “Festival of Sacrifice,” is a significant festival celebrated by Islamic communities worldwide. This festival marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, a spiritual journey that Muslims take to the holy city of Mecca. 

Hari Raya Haji this year falls on 17 June 2024, Monday, a public holiday. 

The festival is known by various names: in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Middle East, including the UAE, it is called Eid al-Adha, while in Pakistan and other Asian countries, it is referred to as Bakr-Id, the “goat festival,” or Eid-e-Qurbani.

According to Islamic tradition, Hari Raya Haji commemorates the unwavering devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to Allah (God). In a vision, Ibrahim was instructed by Allah to sacrifice his son, Ismail (Ishmael). Ibrahim obediently prepared to fulfill this command. However, Allah intervened at the last moment revealing that it was a test of faith and allowing a goat to be sacrificed instead. As a symbolic act of faith and devotion, Muslims worldwide sacrifice a four-legged animal, such as a goat, on this occasion.

The festival takes place 70 days after the holy month of Ramadan or on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. It coincides with the end of Hajj, the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. During Hajj, thousands of pilgrims gather in Mecca to perform rituals that date back to the time of Prophet Muhammad nearly fourteen centuries ago.

(Above photo) Sultan Mosque in Singapore 

On this public holiday, male volunteers congregate in mosques to offer prayers and listen to sermons. Following the prayers, they perform the sacrifice of sheep, goats, or cows. The meat is then distributed among the Muslim community with a focus on aiding less fortunate families.

Cultural influences bring diverse traditions to the festival across different regions but a common atmosphere of joy and celebration prevails. Muslims dress in new or their finest clothes and attend morning prayers at the mosque. Friends and family gather to exchange greetings and celebrate together.

In Singapore, Muslims make online bookings for the korban (sacrifice) through platforms like https://korban.ourmasjid.sg/ or the Muslim.sg app. Updates and information can be found on the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS)’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MUIS.SG/.

Hari Raya Haji is a time of reflection, devotion, and community, honoring the profound faith of Prophet Ibrahim and the spirit of sacrifice in Islam. We hope this has given you a deeper understanding of the Muslim culture of our fellow Malays.