STA, 12 August 2019 - A central ceremony marking Eid al-Adha or the Festival of the Sacrifice, one of the biggest religious holidays in Islam, was held in Ljubljana's Kodeljevo Arena on Sunday. The ceremony was addressed by Mufti Nedžad Grabus, with the start of prayers scheduled for 6.36am.
The Muslim holiday provides an opportunity for believers to embark on a self-reflection journey and consider righting the wrongs they might have done to themselves or others, said the Muslim community in Slovenia.
The believers should be aware how unpredictable and ephemeral life is, given that everything is transient, it added.
The Festival of the Sacrifice is the time for atonement and asking for forgiveness, but also the time for sharing joy with loved ones.
The Eid al-Adha celebrations start with pilgrims setting out on trips to Mecca and Medina.
The highlight of the annual pilgrimage, which took place on Saturday, is held on Mount Arafat, a hill east of Mecca in the plain of Arafat, where pilgrims gather to pray in unity which defies any class, political or social divides.
This year, 28 Muslims from Slovenia have embarked on the journey to Mecca. Those who are not part of the pilgrimage celebrate the holiday with their families.
Apart from Ljubljana, Eid al-Adha prayers will be held in other Slovenian cities and towns with Muslim communities as well.
Next year's Eid al-Adha celebrations are expected to take place in the Ljubljana mosque instead of the Kodeljevo sports arena since the construction of the former is all but completed.
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