There is an air of festivity in feasts. Our Egyptian traditions are embodied in the love and connection between all the members of the Egyptian families on feasts.
Muslims are celebrating Eid Al-Adha. It is the second feast that follows Eid Al-Fitr, celebrated on 10th till 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah. It is titled by so many names like feast of the sacrifice, Eid al-Kabir : an Arabic term meaning “the Greater Feast” in Egypt and Morocco and Eid qorbān: an Arabic term meaning “the Offering Feast”.
The traditions of celebrating this feast are the same all over the world. It begins with salat Al-Eid: prayers on the dawn of the first day of the feast that last for 4 days. Prayers are held in mosques and yards. At the end of the prayers, people greet each other by saying “Taqabel Allah” or” May God accept your prayer” and the answer is “Minna wa Minkom” which means “May he accept the prayers of both of us”. Afterwards, people congratulate each other and they go back home to sacrifice a specific animal and distribute portions of its meat on the poor and destitute keeping the rest to make a feast for their relatives and closed ones.
Feasts have a special flavor in Egypt. They depict a visage of Egypt where all the members of the family are meeting. Different generations are connecting and bonds between the members of the family become stronger. As for the big family of their fellow citizens, you will find a neighbor or a friend knocking on your doors to congratulate and offer you his kind wishes on the day of the feast.
Everyone is celebrating and joy spreads all over Egypt depicting a great and colorful image of love and rapport. Children wear colorful clothes and meet in the early morning to play after getting Eidia which is a gift like money given by their elders in the family. People become closer and celebrate together.
All Egyptians are used to thanking God on feasts and they do all kinds of charity and giving to the people in need, the poor, the destitute, the orphans and those who have no one to take care of. They consider it an annual opportunity to put a smile on their faces and share the feast’s spirit.
On feasts, each one forgives all the people who mistreated them and casts hatred and animosity out of their hearts. It is a good chance to blot out any insult to a friend, neighbor or any one. It is a new beginning for peace and reconciliation.
As it is said: ” Rejoice with those who rejoice” and as we learned from history that our home country is one icon that depicts all of us. Thus, we offer our congratulations on Eid Al-Adha to all our Muslim brethrens everywhere. We pray that God keep the peace and security of our dear country and fill our hearts with joy and happiness. I offer my greeting and respect to each Egyptian who loves, supports and erects our great country.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
