Learn About the Holidays (Part I)
The end of the year marks a time when people of many different faiths and beliefs celebrate their respective holidays. Unfortunately, many of us have don't know the basis of or the traditions involved for any of these holidays other than Christmas. This lack of knowledge can breed misunderstanding in the multicultural workplace. Here are brief descriptions of several of the upcoming holidays you may know little about.
Muslims celebrate the four day holiday of Eid al-Adha (also known as Eid el-Kibir, Tfaska Tamoqqart, Tabaski or Tobaski, Babbar Sallah or Ciidwayneey depending on the region) starting on the tenth day of the month of Dhul Hijja, which has no exact correspondence to the Gregorian calendar but this year falls out on December 20. This is also the day that the pilgrims making their annual pilgrimage to Mecca, or Hajj, descend from Mount Arafat.
Eid al-Adha commemorates Allah's commanding of the Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his only son. Allah stopped Abraham from killing his son, saying that Abraham had already passed the test by being willing to give up his only son to serve Allah.
To remember Abraham's trial, Muslims slaughter an animal such as a sheep, camel or goat. The meat is divided into thirds. One third is eaten by immediate family; one third is given to friends, and one third is given to the poor. The sacrifice has nothing to do with sin or atoning for sins, a fact often misunderstood.
Aside from the sacrifice, to celebrate the holiday, on the first morning, Muslims attend morning prayers and then visit their family and friends where they exchange greetings and gifts.
Comments
None of your business, IDIOT !!
It is still a good article to read and learn about the other cultures.
If you have a brain, you could figure out that people buy during these kinds of holidays.
What in the world does this have to do with 'personal finance' as noted at the top of the page?
What in the world does this have to do with 'personal finance' as noted at the top of the page?