Sacrifice, indeed

It is once again the joyous time of the year when we celebrate Eid Al Adha.

People will no doubt enjoy the holiday, but they should not forget to fulfil its deeper meaning and spiritual messages.

A million and a half Muslims from all over the world are performing the pilgrimage, one of the main pillars of Islam, following the Koran injunction that all physically and materially able Muslims perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime.

Performing the pilgrimage is certainly a big part of the holiday and millions of devout Muslims assemble annually in Mecca and Medina to carry it out.

It is, of course, the occasion when Muslims also offer “sacrifice”; physically, by slaughtering sheep, for example, but also spiritually, by heeding the inner meanings of sacrifice: for loftier ideals, for the poor, for the good of the community and country.

To celebrate this year, Muslims in Jordan enjoy a longer holiday than usual, as it falls between two weekends, which results in nine days of work stoppage.

Productivity, where it exists, will of course be one of the casualties of this long holiday, but not only.

Banks, public and private institutions, schools, media outlets and industries will be off for almost one-third of the month.

A bit too much, one would say, especially when it comes to the banking system and schools. 

The latter always complain they lack time to finish the manuals.

The services of the former are essential for the wheels of the economy to keep on turning.

The closure of official and other public offices for so long is certain to take a toll on the country’s economy.

Bringing the country to a standstill for nine days, leaving it without essential services for so long, is not productive.

A sacrifice, indeed, but not a healthy one.

Happy Eid, for now, but perhaps the allocation of free days will be revised and adjusted in a way that is not disadvantageous to the country in any way.