The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th of June, 2023 as public holidays to mark the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations for Muslims in Nigeria and abroad.
This was announced by the Ministry of Interior on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement on Thursday signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Oluwatoyin Akinlade.
Eid-el-Kabir, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is one of the two major festivals in Islam. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) in obedience to God’s command. However, God intervened and provided a ram for Ibrahim to sacrifice instead of his son.
The festival also marks the end of the annual pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.
During the festival, Muslims who can afford it slaughter a ritually acceptable animal (sheep, goat, camel, or cow) and share the meat among themselves, their relatives, friends, and the poor and needy. They also offer prayers, exchange greetings and gifts, and visit one another.
The Federal Government urged Muslims to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, and progress of Nigeria. It also advised them to observe safety measures during the celebrations.
The Federal Government wished all Muslims a happy and peaceful Eid-el-Kabir celebration.