Eid al-Ad’ha (Feast of the Sacrifice) is the most important feast of the Islamic calendar. It falls on the 10th of the month of Thu-l-Hijjah. This time is the culmination of the pilgrimage at Mekka. For those not performing the pilgrimage, the feast is one of communal prayer followed by the sacrifice of an animal. For those who are in Mekka performing the pilgrimage, writes Cyril Glasse, the sacrifice is the concluding rite. The feast is a commemoration of Abraham's sacrifice of the ram as a Divine dispensation releasing him from the intended sacrifice of his son.

Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his then only son, at an age which left little hope for another son, showed the depth of Abraham’s obedience to Allah. Once Abraham had confirmed his obedience by preparing to sacrifice his son, the angel Gabriel substituted a ram for Abraham’s son. This son is not named in the Qur'an, but it is usually accepted in Islam that the sacrifice was to be of Ishmael (Ismail). For those who hold that Ishmael was indeed the intended victim, Abraham’s second son, Isaac, is seen as Allah's reward for Abraham's perfect submission.

In Islam, the place of Abraham's sacrifice is held to be the city of Mina (about 45 miles away from Mekka). The pillars at Mina, which are stoned during the pilgrimage, symbolize the devil's tempting of Abraham to abandon the sacrifice.

On the morning of the Eid al-Ad'ha, Muslims assemble at the communal place of prayer (musalla), usually an open field, for the Eid (feast). Prayer is performed together by all members of the community or city. After prayers, each head of household sacrifices a sheep, a camel, or an ox for his or her family. Although the sacrifice is usually performed by a man, a woman who is the head of a household also may offer the sacrifice. The man or woman faces Mekka; utters the appropriate ritual intention of an-niyyah (essentially a statement of the clear nature and purpose of the act to be performed); speaks the names of the persons on whose account the sacrifice is being made; pronounces the words: bismi-Llah wa Allah akbar (in the name of Allah who is the Almighty); and then cuts the throat of the animal -- both windpipe and jugular -- in one stroke with a very sharp knife.

The celebration continues for three days and consists chiefly of family visits. During this time, the sacrifice is consumed. The sacrifice, continues Glasse, renews a sense of consecration toward Allah and perpetuates a primordial spiritual function.

Eid al-Ad’ha also is known as the Eid al-Kabir, or Great Feast. In Turkey, it is called the kurban bayram.

For over one billion Muslims throughout the world, Ramadhan is a special month of the year. During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day. Ramadhan was the month in which the holy Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to Allah (God) and self-control. Eid al-Fitr follows the sighting of the new moon which signifies the end of the fast in the month of Ramadhan. On the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Fitr (Feast of Breaking Fast) is second in importance after Eid al-Ad'ha. Eid means recurring happiness or festivity. Eid is celebrated with enthusiasm every where in the world. Muslims from all strata of life can be seen adorned in new clothes, visiting the mosques to attend Eid prayers (Salatul Eid ). Eid prayer which is performed by the whole community in an outdoor prayer ground that is known as the musalla. In large cities, the Eid prayer also is performed in congregational mosques. Greetings of "Eid-Mubarak" or "a blessed Eid" are exchanged. A very important aspect of eid is the charity which all the Muslims are expected to extend to the needy.

Eid al-Ghadir (The Festival of the Pool)  is observed by the Twelve-Imam Shi’ites (a Shi’ite sect) on the 18th of the month of Thu-l-Hijjah. The festival commemorates the events of Ghadir al-Khumm, during which the Shi'ites believe that the Prophet designated Ali as his successor. The event became a Shi'ite celebration in 962 AD under the Buyid ruler, Mu'izz ad-Dawlah.

Abdel Wahed El Wakil is one of the most intelligent architects in Islamic architecture. His numerous honors include the Aga Khan Award received in 1980. His thorough knowledge of Islamic architecture has reawakened an awareness of the value of traditional Islamic heritage.

El Wakil's view of vernacular, low-cost housing in the Middle East is very distinctive. He believes that vernacular, low-cost housing may be re-established only when people look again to traditional architecture and abandon a blind acceptance of widespread Western standards.

Since 1972, El Wakil has been in private practice -- designing, revising and contributing to some of the remarkable buildings, palaces and mosques of our time. Yet he maintains a deep commitment to architecture for the poor. And from 1967 to 1972, he collaborated closely with the great Egyptian advocate of indigenous architecture, Hassan Fat'hy.

El Wakil is a major figure in one of the most important and influential architectural schools in the Arab world. In a masterly manner, his work brings together many elements of traditional architecture -- such as domes, vaults, arches and wooden lanterns -- in structures that provide modern living standards. Moreover, his work is characterized by an uncompromising quest for quality and meticulous attention to detail. Such work endorses the claim of his mentor, Hassan Fat'hy,

"When the full power of human imagination is backed by the weight of a living tradition, the resulting work of art is much greater than any that an artist can achieve when he has no tradition in which to work or when he willfully abandons his tradition."

Arabic title (amir) for a military commander, governor or ruler.

Arabic title for the commander of the faithful; used since Omar Ibn al-Khattab (the second Caliph) as a title of honor reserved exclusively for the Caliph.