Eid al-Adha 2025: A Celebration of Faith, Sacrifice, and Connection
First Eid AL-Adha in Malang!
Hi I'm Meylisa! This year’s Eid al-Adha felt different for me. Far from the familiar warmth of home in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, I found myself celebrating in Malang, where I now attend university. For the first time, I marked this sacred day alone, without my family—but not without community.
I woke up at 4:30 AM, got dressed in my best clothes, and made my way to the Brawijaya University field for the Eid prayer at 6:00 AM. As the sun rose over the campus, I was struck by how united everyone was—students, staff, and the public, all gathered in reverence. Even public institutions like the university played a part in the celebration. It reminded me that Eid al-Adha transcends place—it lives in the spirit of those who gather to honor it.
🌙 What is Eid al-Adha?
(An empty road, everybody went for prayer to the nearest praying place)
Also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha is one of the two most important Islamic holidays, commemorating the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his unwavering devotion to God. According to Islamic tradition, Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience, only to have God replace his son with a ram, recognizing Ibrahim’s faith.
Muslims around the world mark this day through:
- Eid prayers, performed in open fields or mosques
- The ritual sacrifice (qurban) of livestock—usually goats, sheep, or cows—with the meat distributed to those in need
- Sharing meals and gathering with family and community
- Reflecting on values of submission, compassion, and charity
It’s a powerful reminder that true faith is not only about ritual, but about empathy, generosity, and trust in a higher purpose.
🕌From Malang to Boise: Celebrating Across Continents
Source : https://boisemuslims.org/
Even as I stood in Malang, I thought about Muslim communities around the world—including in Boise, Idaho, where many refugee and immigrant families gather at the Boise Islamic Center to celebrate Eid al-Adha.
There, the day begins with prayer, just like here. Families dress in their best, greet one another with “Eid Mubarak,” and share food and laughter. What makes Boise’s Eid celebrations special is the sense of unity across cultures—Muslims from Somalia, Iraq, Indonesia, Afghanistan, and more come together as one ummah (community). If you are a muslim in Boise, come and look for Eid prayer time through Boise Islamic Center's
website.
A Celebration That Connects Us All
(Me and my bestie, Kania)
I wasn't that lonely, I got a friend, Kania, who accompanied me throughout the day! Though I missed my family this year, Eid al-Adha still brought me closer to something greater to a new local community of faith, sacrifice, and love. From a university field in Malang to a mosque in Boise, the essence of Eid lives on in every kind act, every prayer, every shared plate.
Whether you celebrate with family, friends, or strangers who become family for a day, Eid al-Adha reminds us: we are never truly alone.
Eid Mubarak. Selamat Hari Raya Idul Adha. May your sacrifices be accepted and your heart be full.
— Meylisa Hadi Yanti