Eid-al-Adha in Canada
Quick Facts
Many Muslims in Canada celebrate Eid al-Adha around the 10th to the 13th days of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah.Local names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Eid-al-Adha | English |
| Aïd el-Kebir | French |
Eid-al-Adha 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009Eid-al-Adha 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010Note: Regional customs or moon sightings may cause a variation of the date for Islamic holidays, which begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday. The Islamic calendar is lunar and the days begin at sunset, so there may be one-day error depending on when the New Moon is first seen.
See list of observations below
Eid al-Adha is a happy occasion that many Muslims in Canada celebrate. ©iStockphoto.com/Juanmonino
What do people do?
Eid al-Adha is celebrated in Muslim communities throughout Canada around the 10th to the 13th days of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah (or Dhul Hijja). It is a time marked by special prayers and many Muslims gather for special prayer services. Many people also visit family and friends, exchange greetings and gifts, and make donations to the poor and needy. Eid al-Adha is also a time for forgiveness and compassion.
The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) holds Eid festivals to celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The Eid Festivals offer celebrations including a carnival of fun rides, shows, sport tournaments and various international cuisines. Thousands of people, including key leaders, often attend these events. Some politicians publicly announce their best wishes to those celebrating Eid al-Adha. Festivities can last for up to a few days.
Eid al-Adha follows from the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. This pilgrimage applies to Muslims worldwide, as they are required to perform the Hajj once in their lives. Some Muslims in Canada may travel to Mecca prior to Eid al-Adha to make this pilgrimage. Eid al-Adha is known as the Feast of Sacrifice because it traditionally includes the sacrifice of an animal permitted for food (eg. a lamb) as an act of thanksgiving for God’s mercy. Some of the food is donated for charitable purposes.
Public life
Eid al-Adha is not a nationwide public holiday in Canada. However, some Islamic organizations may be closed or offer a reduced level of service and there may be some local traffic congestion around mosques and venues where Eid al-Adha celebrations are held.
Background
Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice or Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates accomplishment. Eid al-Adha also serves as a reminder of when Ibrahim (Abraham) was willing to sacrifice his son to God, according to Islamic belief.
About Eid-al-Adha in other countries
Read more about Eid-al-Adha.Eid-al-Adha Observances
Note: Regional customs or moon sightings may cause a variation of the date for Islamic holidays, which begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday. The Islamic calendar is lunar and the days begin at sunset, so there may be one-day error depending on when the New Moon is first seen.| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Oct 20 | 1980 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Fri | Oct 9 | 1981 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Wed | Sep 29 | 1982 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Sun | Sep 18 | 1983 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Thu | Sep 6 | 1984 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Tue | Aug 27 | 1985 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Sat | Aug 16 | 1986 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Thu | Aug 6 | 1987 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Mon | Jul 25 | 1988 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Fri | Jul 14 | 1989 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Wed | Jul 4 | 1990 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Sun | Jun 23 | 1991 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Thu | Jun 11 | 1992 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Tue | Jun 1 | 1993 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Sat | May 21 | 1994 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Wed | May 10 | 1995 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Mon | Apr 29 | 1996 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Fri | Apr 18 | 1997 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Wed | Apr 8 | 1998 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Sun | Mar 28 | 1999 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Thu | Mar 16 | 2000 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Tue | Mar 6 | 2001 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Sat | Feb 23 | 2002 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Wed | Feb 12 | 2003 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Mon | Feb 2 | 2004 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Fri | Jan 21 | 2005 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Tue | Jan 10 | 2006 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Sun | Dec 31 | 2006 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Thu | Dec 20 | 2007 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Tue | Dec 9 | 2008 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Sat | Nov 28 | 2009 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Wed | Nov 17 | 2010 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Mon | Nov 7 | 2011 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Fri | Oct 26 | 2012 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Tue | Oct 15 | 2013 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Sun | Oct 5 | 2014 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim | |
| Thu | Sep 24 | 2015 | Eid-al-Adha | Muslim |
Related holiday
- Eid-al-Fitr–Monday, September 21, 2009
Other holidays in November 2009 in Canada
- All Saints' Day (Sunday, November 1, 2009)
- Daylight Saving Time ends (Sunday, November 1, 2009)
- All Souls' Day (Monday, November 2, 2009)
- Remembrance Day (Wednesday, November 11, 2009)
- First Sunday of Advent (Sunday, November 29, 2009)
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