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

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 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

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

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

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

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.

1Buddhism

2Christianity

2.1Key Beliefs

2.1.1The Nature of God

2.1.2The Problem of Evil

2.1.3Monotheism

2.1.4Creation

2.1.5Bible Accounts of Creation

2.1.6The Trinity and Creation

2.1.7Afterlife

2.1.8Heaven and Hell

2.1.9The Influence of Afterlife on Life

2.1.10End of Topic Test - Christianity Key Beliefs

2.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Christian Beliefs

2.2Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.2.1The Incarnation

2.2.2Jesus - Divine & Human

2.2.3The Crucifixion

2.2.4Jesus' Betrayal

2.2.5Resurrection & Ascension

2.2.6Sin

2.2.7Original Sin

2.2.8Punishment

2.2.9The Means of Salvation

2.2.10Achieving Salvation

2.2.11Disagreements About Salvation

2.2.12The Role of Christ in Salvation

2.2.13Theories of Salvation

2.2.14End of Topic Test - Jesus Christ & Salvation

2.3Worship & Festivals

2.3.1Different Forms of Worship

2.3.2Prayer

2.3.3Sacrament

2.3.4Baptism

2.3.5Other Sacraments

2.3.6Eucharist

2.3.7Pilgrimage & Celebrations

2.3.8Christmas & Easter

2.3.9End of Topic Test - Worship and Festivals

2.4Community

2.4.1Local Community

2.4.2Mission, Evangelism & Church Growth

2.4.3Worldwide Church

2.4.4Reconciliation

2.4.5Persecution

2.4.6Caring for Those in Need

2.4.7End of Topic Test - Community

2.4.8Exam-Style Questions - Christian Practices

3Catholicism (Christianity)

4Islam

5Judaism

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