Eid al-Adha - A Celebration of Devotion, Sacrifice, and Solidarity
By Kirtan Bhana, Editor, The Diplomatic Society
10 June 2025
On the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Adha, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Faisal Al Harbi, hosted a reception in Pretoria on 9 June 2025 to mark one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar which was observed on June 7. The gathering brought together diplomats, faith leaders, civil society representatives, and prominent South African figures, including Dr. Naledi Pandor, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, in a spirit of unity, faith, and global fraternity.
The Sacred Significance of Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, often referred to as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two most significant Islamic observances, the other being Eid al-Fitr. It commemorates the profound moment of Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) unwavering faith and willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command. This sacred story, which speaks to the core virtues of devotion, humility, and absolute submission to the Divine will, is a pillar of Islamic spirituality and moral consciousness.
Observed at the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage, Eid al-Adha is a time for reflection, communal prayer, charitable giving, and the ritual sacrifice of an animal, symbolizing Prophet Ibrahim’s test of faith. The meat is traditionally distributed among family, neighbors, and the less fortunate, reinforcing Islam’s enduring emphasis on generosity, compassion, and social justice.
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As Ambassador Al Harbi rightly noted in his welcome remarks, “Eid al-Adha is a profound reminder of the values at the heart of our faith - devotion, humility, and sacrifice. It is a time to rejoice in the many blessings that enrich our lives - faith, family, peace, and a sense of community. It is also a moment for reaching out to those in need, for offering and seeking forgiveness, and for renewing our commitment to compassion, service, and humility.”
The Kingdom’s Sacred Custodianship
As Custodians of the Two Holy Mosques - Al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia bears a responsibility of immense religious and logistical magnitude. Each year, millions of pilgrims from across the globe travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umrah, fulfilling one of the five pillars of Islam.
In his address, Ambassador Al Harbi emphasized the Kingdom’s solemn dedication to this duty: “Welcoming millions of pilgrims every year is not just an honour but a sacred responsibility we carry with utmost care and humility. The government of Saudi Arabia has taken it upon itself to provide the best conditions for pilgrims to perform their rites with ease and comfort.”
This commitment is evident in the Kingdom’s sustained investments in infrastructure, health services, crowd management, and technological innovation to ensure a safe and spiritually fulfilling experience for every pilgrim. The annual coordination of the Hajj pilgrimage remains one of the largest and most complex logistical operations in the world, undertaken with remarkable efficiency and reverence.
Solidarity with the Oppressed: A Call to Conscience
Addressing guests Ambassador Al Harbi echoed the words of the late President Nelson Mandela, invoking his enduring message of global justice: “Our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.”
With these words, the Ambassador expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, who continue to endure immense suffering under Israeli occupation. This gesture was not just political; it was deeply ethical and spiritual, reflecting the spirit of Eid al-Adha, a time when Muslims are called upon to stand with the oppressed, to give voice to the voiceless, and to reaffirm their commitment to shared humanity.
In the presence of Dr. Pandor, a respected voice for justice and human rights, the Ambassador’s tribute to Palestine was a reminder that Eid is not only a personal celebration of faith but also a moment to renew our collective moral obligations in a world fraught with conflict, displacement, and inequity.
A Message of Hope and Unity
At its heart, the Pretoria reception was more than a celebration, it was a gathering of conscience, a moment to reflect on the enduring power of faith to unite people across cultures and continents. As the guests exchanged warm greetings of “Eid Mubarak”, they also shared a commitment to fostering peace, dialogue, and understanding in an increasingly polarized world.
Eid al-Adha continues to be an expression of Islamic identity, spiritual renewal, and social solidarity. Through its custodianship of the holy sites and its unwavering dedication to the pilgrimage, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia carries forward a sacred legacy that resonates far beyond its borders.
As the crescent moon marks the days of Eid, it also lights the path of a global Ummah - diverse yet united, rooted in tradition yet oriented toward compassion, justice, and peace.