Eid El Kabir 2023 Holiday in Nigeria: Know Its Significance
by Rubaditsha | Updated Jun 28, 2023
Eid El Kabir 2023
Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Eid-el-Kabir, is a significant festival celebrated in Islam. In 2023, Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated on Wednesday, as the government of Saudi Arabia has declared Tuesday as Arafat day. The festival holds great importance and is celebrated to commemorate a pivotal event in Islamic history. It honors the faith and devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to Allah. The story behind Eid-ul-Adha dates back to ancient times when Allah tested Ibrahim's unwavering faith.
According to Islamic tradition, Ibrahim received a divine command in a dream to sacrifice his beloved son as an act of obedience to Allah. Initially troubled by this request, Ibrahim recognized it as a test of his devotion and submitted himself to Allah's will. He shared this revelation with his son, Ismail (Ishmael), who willingly agreed to fulfill Allah's command.
On the day of the intended sacrifice, as Ibrahim was about to carry out the act, Allah intervened and replaced Ismail with a ram. This divine intervention demonstrated that Ibrahim had successfully passed the test of faith, and Allah accepted his willingness to sacrifice his son. The ram became the symbol of sacrifice in commemoration of Ibrahim's devotion and submission to Allah.
Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This day marks the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage, during which millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Makkah to perform various sacred rituals. One of the most significant rituals is the standing on the mountain of Arafat, which takes place on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah. The following day, known as Eid-ul-Adha, is a time of celebration and gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon Muslims.
During Eid-ul-Adha, Muslims who are financially capable are encouraged to perform the act of sacrifice by slaughtering an animal such as a ram, sheep, goat, cow, or camel. This act symbolizes their willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of Allah and the community. The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three parts: one part is kept for personal consumption, one part is shared with family and friends, and the remaining part is distributed among the less fortunate in the community.
Eid-ul-Adha holds deep spiritual and communal significance. It reinforces the values of faith, obedience, sacrifice, and generosity. Muslims strive to strengthen their spiritual connection with Allah and foster unity within their communities through this observance.
However, it is important to note that the sacrifice of animals during Eid-ul-Adha is not obligatory for those who cannot afford it. Islam emphasizes the principles of piety, sincerity, and doing good deeds, which can be practiced in various forms beyond the act of sacrifice. Muslims are encouraged to prioritize their financial responsibilities and ensure the well-being of their families and communities before engaging in acts of sacrifice.
The upcoming Eid-el-Kabir festival in 2023 has generated apprehension among residents in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, due to the daily increase in prices of food and rams, specifically. People are facing challenges in finding affordable animals for the sacrifice, given the scarce resources and the hike in prices. Muslim preacher Imam AbdulRasaq Mahmud Karebu has cautioned against taking loans or buying animals on credit for the purpose of sacrifice, emphasizing that piety and sincerity of purpose are what Allah truly enjoins upon all individuals.
Eid El Kabir 2023 Holiday in Nigeria
In an official statement by Oluwatoyin Akinlade, a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, it has been announced that the Federal Government has designated Wednesday, June 28, and Thursday, June 29, 2023 as public holidays to mark the celebration of Eid-El-Kabir.
The statement extends warm greetings to the Muslim community both within the country and abroad. Akinlade encourages Muslims and all Nigerians to make sacrifices for the advancement and prosperity of their communities and Nigeria as a whole. The permanent secretary expresses optimism that the prayers and sacrifices observed during this festive period will contribute to the desired peace and unity in the nation. The statement concludes by conveying hope that the message and spirit of Eid-El-Kabir will foster progress, unity, and harmony in Nigeria.
Why Eid El Kabir is Celebrated?
Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Eid-el-Kabir, is celebrated to commemorate a significant event in Islamic history and to honor the faith and devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to Allah. The story behind Eid-ul-Adha goes back to ancient times when Allah tested Prophet Ibrahim's unwavering faith.
According to Islamic tradition, Ibrahim received a divine command in a dream to sacrifice his beloved son as an act of obedience. Initially troubled by this request, Ibrahim recognized it as a test of his devotion and submitted himself to Allah's will. He shared this revelation with his son, Ismail (Ishmael), who willingly agreed to fulfill Allah's command.
On the day of the intended sacrifice, as Ibrahim was about to carry out the act, Allah intervened and replaced Ismail with a ram. This divine intervention demonstrated that Ibrahim had successfully passed the test of faith, and Allah accepted his willingness to sacrifice his son. The ram became the symbol of sacrifice in commemoration of Ibrahim's devotion and submission to Allah.
Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This date marks the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage, during which millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Makkah to perform various rituals. One of the most crucial rituals is the standing on the mountain of Arafat, which takes place on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah. The following day, known as Eid-ul-Adha, is a time of celebration and gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon Muslims.
During Eid-ul-Adha, Muslims who have the means to do so are encouraged to perform the act of sacrifice by slaughtering an animal such as a ram, sheep, goat, cow, or camel. This act symbolizes their willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of Allah and the community. The meat from the sacrificed animal is divided into three parts: one part is kept for personal consumption, one part is shared with family and friends, and the remaining part is distributed among the less fortunate in the community.
The celebration of Eid-ul-Adha emphasizes the values of faith, obedience, sacrifice, and generosity. It serves as a reminder of the significance of complete submission to Allah's commands and the importance of helping those in need. Through this observance, Muslims strive to strengthen their spiritual connection with Allah and foster unity within their communities.
Holidays and Observances in Nigeria in 2023
Date
Day
Holiday
1 Jan
Sunday
New Year's Day
2 Jan
Monday
Day off for New Year's Day
14 Feb
Tuesday
Valentine's Day
22 Feb
Wednesday
Ash Wednesday
8 Mar
Wednesday
Women's Day
19 Mar
Sunday
Mothering Sunday
20 Mar
Monday
March Equinox
23 Mar
Thursday
Ramadan Start
7 Apr
Friday
Good Friday
8 Apr
Saturday
Holy Saturday
9 Apr
Sunday
Easter Sunday
10 Apr
Monday
Easter Monday
21 Apr
Friday
Id el Fitr
24 Apr
Monday
Id el Fitr holiday
1 May
Monday
Workers' Day
27 May
Saturday
Children's Day
29 May
Monday
Presidential Inauguration Holiday
12 Jun
Monday
Democracy Day
18 Jun
Sunday
Father's Day
21 Jun
Wednesday
June Solstice
28 Jun
Wednesday
Id el Kabir
29 Jun
Thursday
Id el Kabir additional holiday
19 Jul
Wednesday
Al-Hijra (Tentative Date)
20 Aug
Sunday
Isese Day (Osun)
23 Sep
Saturday
September Equinox
27 Sep
Wednesday
Id el Maulud (Tentative Date)
1 Oct
Sunday
National Day
2 Oct
Monday
Day off for National Day
22 Dec
Friday
Sambisa Memorial Day (Borno)
22 Dec
Friday
December Solstice
24 Dec
Sunday
Christmas Eve
25 Dec
Monday
Christmas Day
26 Dec
Tuesday
Boxing Day
31 Dec
Sunday
New Year's Eve
Eid El Kabir 2023 Holiday in Nigeria: FAQs
In an official statement by Oluwatoyin Akinlade, a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, it has been announced that the Federal Government has designated Wednesday, June 28, and Thursday, June 29, 2023 as public holidays to mark the celebration of Eid-El-Kabir.
Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Eid-el-Kabir, is a major festival celebrated in Islam to commemorate the faith and devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to Allah.
Eid-ul-Adha 2023 will be celebrated on Wednesday, following the declaration of Tuesday as Arafat day by the government of Saudi Arabia.
Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated to honor the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah. It symbolizes faith, devotion, and complete submission to Allah's commands.
Muslims who have the means to do so perform the act of sacrifice by slaughtering animals such as rams, sheep, goats, cows, or camels. The meat is then divided into three parts: one part for personal consumption, one for family and friends, and one for the less fortunate.