4.3.11

Festivals & Commemorations

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Festivals for Sunnis and Shi'as

Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr are the two main festivals that are important for both Sunnis and Shi'as.

Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha

  • Commemorates complete obedience to Allah - Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son to Allah when God intervened.
  • During the 4 days of this festival, people often exchange presents.
  • Muslims attend a service in mosques, which focuses on the importance of obedience to Allah.
  • Muslim families often sacrifice an animal and divide it into three parts: one to their family, one to their relatives, and one to the poor.
Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr

  • Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan.
  • Celebrates the completion of the fourth pillar
    • The fourth pillar is fasting, observing sawm.
  • Thanking Allah for giving Muslims the strength to complete the fourth pillar.
  • There are prayers and a sermon either in or outside the mosque.
  • There is a meal to break the fast and family and friends exchange presents.
Zakah during Eid al-Fitr

Zakah during Eid al-Fitr

  • Muslims pay a Zakah of around 2,5% of one's wealth, on this day.
  • This enables poorer people to celebrate as well.
  • Charities and mosques usually give zakah in the form of food.

Ashura

This festival is most important for Shi’a Muslims, although Sunnis think of it as a day of atonement.

Prior to Ashura

Prior to Ashura

  • The ten days leading up to Ashura are a period of mourning.
  • They are characterised by processions, passion plays, and recitations of stories and poems about the death of Husayn.
  • Shi’a Muslims wear black during this period and some practice self-flagellation.
Day of Ashura

Day of Ashura

  • Commemorates the death of Husayn, son of ‘Ali, and grandson of Muhammad.
  • He died in battle and a Passion narrative has developed around his death.
  • Fasting on Ashura is not compulsory as Muhammad decreed that Muslims should observe sawm on Ramadan.
Ashura Processions

Ashura Processions

  • Many Shi’a Muslims use the Ashura processions to protest against the injustice of the suffering of the Shi’a community as a persecuted minority.
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1

Buddhism

1.1

Key Beliefs

1.1.1The Dhamma1.1.2The Five Skandhas1.1.3Aspects of Human Life1.1.4The Buddha1.1.5The Ascetic & Enlightened Life1.1.6Dhukka1.1.7Samudaya1.1.8Nirodha1.1.9Magga1.1.10The Wheel of Life1.1.11End of Topic Test - Buddhism Key Beliefs
1.2

Practices

1.2.1Places of Worship1.2.2Objects of Worship1.2.3Puja1.2.4Meditation1.2.5Death1.2.6Festivals1.2.7End of Topic Test - Buddhism Practices
1.3

Ethics

1.3.1Kamma1.3.2Five Moral Precepts1.3.3End of Topic Test - Buddhism Ethics
2

Christianity

2.1

Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God2.1.2The Problem of Evil2.1.3Monotheism2.1.4Creation2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation2.1.6The Trinity and Creation2.1.7Afterlife2.1.8Heaven and Hell2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs
2.2

Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human2.2.3The Crucifixion2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension2.2.6Sin2.2.7Original Sin2.2.8Punishment2.2.9The Means of Salvation2.2.10Achieving Salvation2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation2.2.13Theories of Salvation2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation
2.3

Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship2.3.2Prayer2.3.3Sacrament2.3.4Baptism2.3.5Other Sacraments2.3.6Eucharist2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations2.3.8Christmas & Easter2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals
2.4

Community

2.4.1Local Community2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth2.4.3Worldwide Church2.4.4Reconciliation2.4.5Persecution2.4.6Caring for Those in Need2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices
3

Catholicism (Christianity)

3.1

Key Beliefs

3.1.1The Trinity3.1.2Creation3.1.3Incarnation3.1.4Redemption3.1.5Life After Death3.1.6Heaven and Hell3.1.7End of Topic Test - Catholic Key Beliefs
3.2

The Seven Sacraments

3.2.1Meaning & Significance3.2.2Baptism3.2.3Confirmation3.2.4Reconciliation3.2.5Anointing of the Sick3.2.6Marriage3.2.7Holy Orders3.2.8The Eucharist3.2.9End of Topic Test - The Seven Sacraments
3.3

Practices

3.3.1Prayer3.3.2Popular Piety3.3.3Pilgrimage3.3.4Pilgrimages HyperLearning3.3.5Funeral Rites3.3.6The Duty to Love Our Neighbour3.3.7Catholic Agencies3.3.8Catholic Social Teaching3.3.9Justice3.3.10War3.3.11Mission & Evangelism3.3.12End of Topic Test - Catholic Practices
4

Islam

4.1

Key Beliefs

4.1.1Oneness of God4.1.2Six Articles of Faith4.1.3Five Roots of Usul4.1.4The Nature of God4.1.5Angels4.1.6Freedom4.1.7Life After Death4.1.8Human Responsibility4.1.9End of Topic Test - Muslim Key Beliefs
4.2

Authority

4.2.1Prophethood4.2.2The Holy Books4.2.3The Imamate4.2.4End of Topic Test - Muslim Authority
4.3

Practices

4.3.1Worship4.3.2Ten Obligatory Acts4.3.3Shahadah4.3.4Salah & Its Significance4.3.5Mosques4.3.6Rak'ahs4.3.7Sawm4.3.8Zakah4.3.9Hajj4.3.10Jihad4.3.11Festivals & Commemorations4.3.12End of Topic Test - Muslim Practices4.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Muslim Practices
5

Judaism

5.1

Key Beliefs

5.1.1The Nature of God5.1.2God as One5.1.3God's Name5.1.4God as Creator5.1.5Free Will5.1.6God as Law Giver and Judge5.1.7The Divine Presence & Beliefs5.1.8Role of the Messiah5.1.9End of Topic Test - Jewish Key Beliefs5.1.10Exam-Style Questions - Jewish Beliefs
5.2

Covenant & The Mitzvot

5.2.1The Promised Land5.2.2Abraham5.2.3The Covenant5.2.4The Covenant at Sinai5.2.5The Covenant at Sinai 25.2.6Key Moral Principles5.2.7End of Topic Test - Covenant & The Mitzvot
5.3

The Synagogue & Worship

5.3.1The Synagogue & Its Importance5.3.2Public Acts of Worship5.3.3Shabbat5.3.4Worship & Law5.3.5End of Topic Test - Synagogue & Worship

Practice questions on Festivals & Commemorations

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  1. 1
    Features of Eid al-Adha:True / false
  2. 2
    Features of Eid al-Fitr:True / false
  3. 3
    What are the two main festivals that are important for both Sunnis and Shi'as?Fill in the list
  4. 4
    What does Eid al-Fitr celebrate?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Ashura is most important for who? Multiple choice
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Jihad

End of Topic Test - Muslim Practices