Eid Al-Adha

October 26th was a Muslim Holiday called Idul Adha (Indonesian spelling).  It is celebrated at the end of Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), and is in commemoration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his eldest son Ishmael (not Isaac) in obedience to a command from God and Ishmael's acceptance of this command.  Muslims usually sacrifice an animal and distribute its meat amongst family, friends and the poor.  The meat is distributed one third each to the person who purchased the animal, the mosque, and the poor.  The celebration includes family meals (especially lunches and late breakfasts), eating sweet foods, wearing new clothes, giving gifts or money to children. 
As you travel around the city you see livestock for sale in temporary stalls along the side of the street.  We went to a mosque, a five minute walk from our apartment, and viewed the sacrifice.  The people were very friendly and took time to explain and give us the background for the celebration.

 

Animals for sale--on the way to the mosque. The girl is all dressed up for the Holiday!

 

 



 

Mothers and their daughters all dressed up for the Holiday.

Animals being sacrificed. 

Meat being cut and prepared for distribution.

Young men and women watching the action. 

Little girl in her nice outfit watching with her father.

 

 

Young girl helping her father weigh the meat and bagging it for distribution.

Two young ladies enjoying the day!