Eid-Ul-Adha (Hadji Festival Day)
| Date | Type |
|---|---|
28 May 2026 Thursday | BankPublic |
17 May 2027 Monday | BankPublic |
Overview
Eid-Ul-Adha, the "Festival of Sacrifice," commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail in submission to God's command, and his son's own willingness to be sacrificed, a test that, according to Islamic tradition, God interrupted at the last moment by providing a ram to be sacrificed in the boy's place. The festival coincides with the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the five pillars of Islam, and is considered the more religiously significant of the two annual Eid festivals. In Sri Lanka, the day begins with congregational prayers at mosques, after which families who are able to traditionally sacrifice an animal, typically a goat, sheep or cow, and divide the meat into three roughly equal portions: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one donated to those in need, ensuring the celebration extends to the wider community regardless of means. As with Eid-Ul-Fitr, the exact date depends on the sighting of the new moon marking the start of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, and can shift by a day from initial predictions.
Significance
It is considered the more religiously significant of the two Eid festivals in Islam. Those who can afford to traditionally sacrifice an animal and distribute the meat among family, friends, and those in need.
How it's observed
Sri Lankan Muslims attend special morning prayers, and charitable meat distribution is common in Muslim communities. As with Eid-Ul-Fitr, the exact date depends on moon sighting and can shift.
See the Sri Lanka long weekends list or use the interactive holiday planner.