Eid al-Adha in Eritrea
Eid al-Adha, also called the Feast of the Sacrifice, is listed as a public holiday in Eritrea and falls on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar. Eritrean accounts describe a morning Eid prayer, sacrifice, family visits and meals shared with friends and neighbours.[1]
Meaning and calendar
Eid al-Adha recalls Ibrahim’s willingness to obey God’s command to sacrifice his son; in the Islamic account, God provided an animal in his place. The holiday is linked to Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, and begins on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah. Its Gregorian date shifts from year to year because the Islamic calendar is lunar.[1]
How it is observed in Eritrea
A Ministry of Information feature describes worshippers gathering outside mosques in the morning for Salat al-Eid, followed by the animal sacrifice. It also recounts people dressing for the holiday, visiting relatives and old friends, and welcoming guests into their homes.[1]
The same account describes meals with mutton, chicken stew and rice, along with pastries, coffee with ginger, dates, peanuts and other sweets. It portrays guests from different faiths eating and drinking together. These details come from one Eritrean writer’s account, rather than a claim that every household observes the day in the same way.[1]
National reporting also records Eid prayer led by Eritrea’s Mufti at a public gathering in Asmara, with a sermon emphasizing empathy and compassion. The report says the holiday was celebrated nationwide, indicating that observance extends beyond the capital, though it does not detail regional differences.[2]
Public-holiday status and practical effects
Eid al-Adha is a public holiday in Eritrea. The Labour Proclamation says public holidays recognized by law are paid holidays and sets a higher rate of pay for employees who work on one.[3]
Check opening hours with government offices and banks before you go. Schools, shops and transport operators set their own hours, so check with the service or business before making plans.
Frequently asked questions
When is Eid al-Adha celebrated in Eritrea?
It falls on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah. The Gregorian date changes from year to year with the Islamic lunar calendar.[1]
Is Eid al-Adha a public holiday in Eritrea?
Yes. Eid al-Adha is a public holiday in Eritrea. The Labour Proclamation provides paid-holiday treatment for public holidays recognized by law.[3]
Will offices, banks and shops be open?
Check opening hours with government offices and banks before you go. Banks and shops set their own hours, so check with them before visiting.
What might visitors see during the celebration?
An Eritrean account describes morning Eid prayer outside mosques, sacrifice, visits with relatives and friends, and shared meals.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) in Eritrea:
- Eid Al-Adha “Big Eid”- Eritrea Ministry of Information
- Eid al-Adha Celebrated Nationwide- Eritrea Ministry of Information
- The Labour Proclamation of Eritrea- Government of the State of Eritrea; document hosted by the World Health Organization