Culture
The Muslim community of Mazara del Vallo celebrated with great joy the feast of Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, which was held from 16 to 18 June. Eid al-Adha is one of the most important holidays in Islam, which commemorates the will of the prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ismail) as a sign of obedience to God. According to tradition, God intervened right before the sacrifice, replacing Ishmael with a ram. This event represents Abraham’s absolute dedication to God and his unshakable faith. During the three-day celebration, Muslims gather with their families and friends to celebrate, share food and drinks and exchange greetings.
A central element of the festival is the ritual sacrifice of an animal, usually a sheep. The meat is then distributed equally among the family, relatives, neighbors and the needy, to ensure that everyone can enjoy the feast. This year, the “Jasmine del Mediterraneo” association organized a special event to celebrate Eid al-Adha in Mazara del Vallo. On June 17, a children’s party with entertainment took place at the Civic Center, from 5.30pm to 10.30pm.
The evening was a great success, with the participation of many children who had fun with games, music and activities. Furthermore, the association also organized an evening dedicated to Tunisian women, animated by the Tunisian band “Marsa-Allha”. The evening was an opportunity for the Tunisian women of Mazara del Vallo to gather, socialize and celebrate their culture with traditional music, songs and dances. For the event the women wore the traditional dress, the caftan. Eid al-Adha is a time of great significance for Muslims around the world, an opportunity to strengthen their faith, express gratitude to God and share joy with their community.
The holiday also represents a message of peace, unity and solidarity, values that are more important than ever in today’s world.
Caterina Mezzapelle
