Which Muslim festival marks the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage at Mina, near Mecca?

Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakrid or Eid-ul-Zuha, meaning "the festival of sacrifice", is one of the two most important festivals of Islam. It is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar, and marks the culmination of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia.

Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) in obedience to God's command. According to Islamic tradition, Ibrahim saw in a dream that God asked him to sacrifice his son. When Ibrahim and his son agreed to obey, God replaced Ismail with a ram at the last moment, showing that Ibrahim's faith had been tested and proven. The festival celebrates faith, obedience to God and sacrifice.

On Eid al-Adha, Muslims offer special prayers (Eid namaz) in mosques and open grounds in the morning. Those who can afford it sacrifice an animal, such as a goat, sheep, cow or camel, in a ritual called "qurbani". The meat is divided into three parts: one part is kept for the family, one is given to relatives and friends, and one is given to the poor and needy, so that everyone can share in the celebration. People wear new clothes, visit relatives and friends, exchange greetings of "Eid Mubarak" and prepare special dishes.

The Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, the basic duties of every Muslim, which are: Shahada (declaration of faith), Salat (prayer five times a day), Zakat (charity), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime, for those who are able). On the day of Eid al-Adha, the pilgrims perform the symbolic stoning of the devil at Mina and the sacrifice.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month of fasting, Ramadan.
• ✗Milad-un-Nabi celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
• ✗Shab-e-Barat is the night of forgiveness in the month of Shaban.