Muslims today will commemorate the Islamic holiday of Eid Al-Adha (holiday of the sacrifice) on Monday, December 8, 2009.

Eid al-Adha occurs on the 10th Day of Dhul Hijja, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Eid al-Adha marks the end of the annual pilgrimage (Hajj) of Muslims to Mecca. Over 2.5 million Muslims usually participate annually in the Hajj (pilgrimage) which commemorates the Muslim understanding of the challenges placed upon the Prophet Abraham by God in demonstration of his monotheistic belief.

To all of our Muslim friends, we at the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD) wish you a most blessed Eid al-Adha. May the commemoration of this holiday remind us of all of God’s blessings which we enjoy every day and may it also remind us of the responsibility which comes with them.

Annually, in addition to those who participate in the pilgrimage, Muslims take this holiday to remember God, family, and country and thank God for health, happiness, and prosperity.

Also, during this most significant holiday in the Islamic calendar, the AIFD asks that special prayers, remembrance, and dedication be given to the victims and families of the horrific Islamist terror attacks in Mumbai, India which occurred on November 27, 2008. It is in times of spiritual renewal like this that Muslims need to spread a message of love for all of humanity as embodied in spiritual Islam and come together without apologetics against the evil ideologies which inspire the barbarism of attacks like that which occurred in Mumbai. Celebrations in this year’s holiday are sure to be muted as we pray for those who lost their lives and the surviving families who are mourning their loss. May God guide us all in acting swiftly and in a united manner against the ideologies, the organizations, and the individuals who were responsible for the Mumbai attacks and may we soundly defeat all those who may plan for such Islamist terror again, against any people, anywhere in the world.

At this time of holiday, we also wish people of all faiths peace and goodwill, and we particularly wish all of our friends in the Jewish and Christian community a Happy Hannukah and a Merry Christmas to you and your families.

M. Zuhdi Jasser
President, American Islamic Forum for Democracy