Eid al-Adha (Qurban Bayrami) is being observed across Azerbaijan today, with the country marking one of the most significant religious holidays in the Islamic calendar.
According to Caliber.Az, this year’s public holidays fall on May 27–28. Festive prayers were performed in mosques nationwide this morning, as worshippers gathered to observe the occasion. In line with Islamic tradition, the ritual sacrifice may be carried out over a period of three days.
For the sixth consecutive year, Azerbaijanis are celebrating Eid al-Adha as a victorious nation, including in the liberated territories.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev extended his congratulations to the people on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, conveying his best wishes for happiness, prosperity, and well-being.
The Council of Qazis of the Caucasus Muslims Office issued guidance on the observance of the holiday, noting that pilgrims performing the Hajj in Mecca are required to carry out the sacrifice. Elsewhere, those who are able are encouraged to perform the ritual and distribute meat among poor and needy families, in accordance with religious prescriptions.
Usually, sheep are considered the preferred sacrificial animal. However, goats, cattle, and camels may also be offered. Everyone is free to distribute the meat as they wish, but helping the poor and needy is considered closer to the spirit of our religion.
The ritual of sacrifice must be carried out in clean and sanitary conditions, in suitable designated places. According to Sharia rules, the sacrificial animal must be healthy and fit for slaughter. Sick, thin, or defective animals are not considered suitable for sacrifice. Animals are typically slaughtered once they reach a certain age. Goats and sheep should be about one year old, bulls and cows should be more than one or two years old, and camels must be at least five years old. According to Sharia, it is important that the animal is slaughtered in the name of Allah with the intention of sacrifice, facing the Qibla.
The sacrificial meat is generally divided into three parts: one part is kept by the person performing the sacrifice, the second is recommended to be distributed to the poor and needy, and the third is given as a gift to relatives.
In order to carry out the slaughter and sale of sacrificial animals in accordance with regulations and rules, and in safe and sanitary conditions, services for the sale and slaughter of sacrificial animals will be organised at 138 locations across the country.
At these sales points, customers will be offered sacrificial animals that have passed veterinary inspection and have been slaughtered in compliance with sanitary and hygienic requirements. In addition, in a number of regions, mobile slaughter tents will be set up in coordination with the Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan, where the slaughter and sale of sacrificial animals will be carried out under veterinary supervision.
During the holiday period, from 08:00 to 20:00, citizens can use the above-mentioned services for the sale and slaughter of sacrificial animals.
It is mentioned in hadiths that prayers offered on the night and day of Eid al-Adha are accepted.
It should be noted that in Azerbaijan, the days of Eid al-Adha are officially declared non-working days.
