An estimated 300,000 to 400,000 Muslims gathered at the Blue Mosque in Taguig City in commemoration of Eid’l Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice on Friday, June 6.
In an interview with Grand Imam Naguib Taher, he revealed the mosque has been packed since about four to five in the morning, the crowd spilling over onto the whole of Mindanao Avenue.
The Eid’l Adha celebration began with a communal prayer, followed by a Khutbah, or a sermon delivered by the Grand Imam. Afterwards, animals such as cows and goats were slaughtered in accordance with Islamic tradition, and food handed out as gifts or charitable aid—even to participants not of the religion.
According to the Grand Imam, the festivities are held in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice, which tested his faith in God.
“Sapagkat ang principal sacrifice is an invitation to the Almighty God to visit the Holy Sanctuary of God, the Kaaba in Mecca—that is the Hajj. But here in the Philippines and the rest of the Muslim world, ang (the) celebrat(ion is) the Festival of Sacrifice and commemoration (of) the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham to his eldest son, Ishmael,” Grand Imam Naguib Taher said.
The Taguig City Police reported that the celebration at the Blue Mosque was overall peaceful and orderly.
