Jordan to observe five-day Eid holiday

AMMAN — Jordan will observe a five-day public holiday starting September 23, in observance of Eid Al Adha, or feast of sacrifice, according to a circular by the Prime Ministry.

All ministries and government departments will be closed as of Wednesday morning until Sunday evening, the announcement said.

On Sunday, Saudi authorities announced that Eid Al Adha, which celebrates the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca, will start Thursday.

Religious authorities in the Muslim world rely on sighting the new moon to determine the Islamic calendar and the beginning of lunar months.

Eid Al Adha is one of two major Islamic feasts, with the other being Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. 

The feast of the sacrifice marks the end of the pilgrimage season, when Muslims of sufficient means are required to sacrifice livestock in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail to God. 

Jordanian pilgrims’ caravans have started the journey of faith to Mecca and they customarily stay a few days in Medina, where Prophet Mohammad is buried.

The Hajj proper starts one day ahead of the Eid, where millions of the faithful from around the world ascend Arafat Mount, as the key ritual in the annual pilgrimage.