EID AL-ADHA. Guests strike a pose during the Eid al-Adha celebration at Xavier University.
Text and photos by Siegred Jade R Lastimoso
To commemorate the Islamic holiday, Eid al-Adha or Feast of the Sacrifice, Xavier University Peace Program through its Year of Service (YOS) volunteers and Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) teachers frontlined a celebration on September 12 at the Berchman Lounge of the XU Magis Canteen.
National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Islamic consultant and Arabic interpreter Hajji Aleem Aliasa Alinog explained that Eid al-Adha honors Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience and submission to God’s command.
Eid al-Adha also serves as a symbol of the convergence of three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity — all of which trace their roots to Abraham as the grand patriarch.
The Eid al-Adha program at XU started at 5:30 in the afternoon and punctuated in time for the Magrib prayer at 6PM. All guests then gathered to partake in the dinner.
Non-Muslim guests were treated to a variety of Muslim food and delicacies such as beef rending or caramelized beef curry, dodol (a delicacy made of rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar), and pater (rice dish topped either with shredded and cooked beef, chicken or tuna and wrapped with blanched banana leaves).
ALIVE asatid (teacher) Nor-asia D Abdulralim shared a Biblical story on how Eid’l Adha is connected to Christianity. She also took the opportunity to thank the YOS volunteers and Interfaith Forum for Peace, Harmony and Solidarity (IFPHS) co-convener Fr Paul Glynn for engaging with the asatidz (Muslim teachers) for a yearlong English language and communication enhancement program.
In response, Glynn associated Eid’l Adha with their English classes as “a form of sacrifice.” The YOS volunteers and asatidz have devoted their time and effort to enhance their English communication skills together.
“If there is no sacrifice, there is no peace,” said Glynn.
MUSLIM DELICACIES. NCMF Islamic consultant and Arabic interpreter Hajji Aleem Aliasa Alinog introduces various Muslim delicacies during the Eid al-Adha celebration at Xavier University.
Mona Lisa Pangan of the Dialogue Ministry under XU Campus Ministries said that Eid’l Adha does not only celebrate sacrifice but also acceptance, openness, and friendship among religions.
Similarly, XU Socio-Anthropology Department faculty member Dr Edvilla Talaroc shared that, “It is an honor to be with the Muslims.”
Talaroc added, “It is here where I met my fellow Filipinos with the same sentiments towards peace.”
Muslims all over the world celebrate this sacred feast through prayers and animal sacrifice. The meat of the sacrificed animal will then be divided into three parts: (1) a third belongs to the family; (2) another third is given to relatives, friends, and neighbors; (3) and the last third is shared to the poor and the needy.
In her message to the asatidz during the celebration, XU Peace Program coordinator Engr Gail de la Rita said, “You are the ones giving us the inspiration — your presence every week for the English classes is inspiring.”
She also emphasized that deeper than the goal of developing the English proficiency of the ALIVE teachers is the equally, if not more important goal, “to forge interfaith friendships, to be in solidarity with one another, and in the process, contribute to attaining peace.”
This celebration was held in partnership with NCMF and IFPHS.
IFPHS has remained a strong collaborator of XU Peace Program since 2013.
XU Peace Program alongside the YOS volunteer program continues to contribute to peacebuilding efforts under the auspices of the Social Development cluster of Xavier University. ∎
INTERFAITH FRIENDSHIP. Guests strike a pose during the Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) celebration at Xavier University.