Eid Mubarak! Eid al-Adha celebrates the religious devotion of Abraham and his obedience to God’s command. It marks the end of the hajj, the pilgrimage made by Muslims to Mecca, Islam’s holiest city in Saudi Arabia. Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammed and where God revealed the holy book of the Qur’an to him. The celebration of Eid al-Adha starts with prayers, readings from the Qur’an, and thanking God for all of his blessings. It ends with a feast where an animal is sacrificed and shared among family, friends, and the needy.

“Prayer Rug,” early 19th century, India 

“Qur'an Holder Amulet in the Form of a Leather-Bound Book,” c. 17th–18th century, India