It is hard to believe a year has passed since we were celebrating Eid al-Adha  with our new Muslim friends in the Perhentian Islands, Malaysia. Eid al-Adha means “Feast of the Sacrifice” and is also called the “Sacrifice Feast” It honors the willingness of  Abraham to sacrifice his son, as an act of obedience to God’s command. Before Abraham sacrificed his son, God provided a male goat to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this, an animal is sacrificed and divided into three parts: one third of the share is given to the poor and needy; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors; and the remaining third is retained by the family.

We were invited to experience this celebration first hand. Local Muslim families set up make-shift kitchens on the grounds of our little hotel and started cooking at daylight. They were so happy when we joined in and freely ate with them. It is such a beautiful memory for me. Such sweet people. So to these Muslim friends and to all my Muslim friends around the world I say Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating!