Eid ul-Azha 2023, 2024 and 2025
Eid ul Azha is the most significant holiday on the Islamic calendar, both in Pakistan and throughout the Muslim world.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 29 Jun | Thu | Eid ul-Azha |
| 30 Jun | Fri | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 1 Jul | Sat | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 2024 | 17 Jun | Mon | Eid ul-Azha |
| 18 Jun | Tue | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 2025 | 7 Jun | Sat | Eid ul-Azha |
| 8 Jun | Sun | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 2026 | 27 May | Wed | Eid ul-Azha |
| 28 May | Thu | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates. | |||
Meaning “the Feast of Sacrifice,” the holiday commemorates the offering of Ishmael by Ibrahim (Abraham) to Allah, according to the Koranic account. The willingness of Ibrahim to give up his son is what is regarded as important, even though Allah is said to have intervened and provided a ram to be sacrificed in place of Ishmael.
It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam to go on pilgrimage to Mecca this time of year to re-enact Ibrahim’s sacrifice, and many Pakistanis do. However, it is simply too expensive and impractical for all to travel to Saudi Arabia to celebrate Eid ul Azha. Thus, local celebrations take place each year.
Eid ul Azha actually is kept for three straight days, the first two of which are public holidays in Pakistan. Festivities begin on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijja, called “Zilhaj” in Pakistan, which is the last month of the Muslim year. The date varies on the Gregorian calendar and is only officially established by a centralised moon-sighting committee.
There are many traditions Muslims follow on Eid ul Azha. First, the day begins with early morning prayers and a sermon at a local mosque. Pakistanis will also dress up in new-bought clothes, visit friends and family, hold large, meat-based feasts, and give money to the poor so that they can feast as well. Some will buy an animal, a cow, ram, goat, sheep, or camel, and have it slaughtered to represent the “sacrifice” of Ishmael. Others will simply buy large amounts of meat from the store. Either way, a third of the meat is traditionally given to the poor.
Events
Those visiting the land of Pakistan during Eid ul Azha celebrations may wish to add any of the following activities to their “to do list:”
- See the crowds gather at the largest mosques in the country, such as the Faisal Mosque in Islamabad or the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore. The skillful architecture, the mass meetings gatherings in and around the buildings, and should you venture inside, the ornately decorated interiors, are quire a memorable sight.
- Tour the largest livestock market in all Asia, located in Karachi. You will see bulls decked out in flowery garlands, sheep with colourful yarn harnesses over their faces, and camels with henna-dyed patterns etched onto their hair. These animals are all destined for the sacrificial slaughter, and you can even see numerous knife sharpeners busily readying the “instruments of sacrifice.”
- Indulge in some authentic Pakistani cuisine, which is similar to north Indian food but three times as meat-intensive. Goat, mutton, beef, and chicken meat are very popular, as well as camel meat. Look for dishes like kofta, a kind of meatball, roast meat kebabs of various types, chicken karahi, meat and potato curries, the beef shank dish called “nihari,” and all manner of vegetables served with mutton. All meat will conform to halal standards, and it will often be flavoured with spices such as cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, turmeric, and chili powder. Besides meat, expect rice, yogurt, salads, egg rolls, lentils, fresh fruits, and tea.
Pakistan is busy and eventful during Eid ul Azha, and the tourist will find much to do and much to learn about Pakistani culture.
Previous Years
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10 Jul | Sun | Eid ul-Azha |
| 11 Jul | Mon | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 12 Jul | Tue | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 2021 | 21 Jul | Wed | Eid ul-Azha |
| 22 Jul | Thu | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 23 Jul | Fri | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 2020 | 31 Jul | Fri | Eid ul-Azha |
| 1 Aug | Sat | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 2 Aug | Sun | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 2019 | 12 Aug | Mon | Eid ul-Azha |
| 13 Aug | Tue | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 14 Aug | Wed | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 15 Aug | Thu | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 2018 | 21 Aug | Tue | Eid ul-Azha Holiday |
| 22 Aug | Wed | Eid ul-Azha | |
| 23 Aug | Thu | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 2017 | 1 Sep | Fri | Eid ul-Azha Holiday |
| 2 Sep | Sat | Eid ul-Azha | |
| 3 Sep | Sun | Eid ul-Azha Holiday | |
| 4 Sep | Mon | Eid ul-Azha Holiday |