Eid al-Adha 2026: the main holiday of Muslims has begun in Russia

      On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, Muslims begin the celebration of Kurban Bayram (Arabic name - Eid al-Adha). The festivities started with the sunset on May 26 and will last for several days - until May 31 inclusive, although the key rituals are performed on the first day.

      The holiday is considered one of the two main ones in Islam alongside Uraza Bayram. It occurs 70 days after the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is timed to the tenth day of the month of Dhul-Hijjah - the time when pilgrims complete the Hajj in Mecca.

      In memory of devotion and mercy

      The history of Kurban Bayram traces back to events described in the 37th surah of the Quran. The Prophet Ibrahim (in the biblical tradition - Abraham) received a divine command in a dream: to sacrifice his own son Ismail. This was a test of the strength of faith.

      Father and son showed firm determination to obey. However, at the last moment, Allah sent an angel (traditionally believed to be Jibril), who stopped Ibrahim's hand and replaced the son with a sacrificial ram. This story is not about cruelty, but about a person's readiness to be faithful to God even in the most difficult trials. The main meaning of the holiday is the memory of Ibrahim's devotion and the mercy of the Almighty, which believers then express through the ritual of sacrifice and helping those in need.

      How the celebrations take place

      The morning of Kurban Bayram begins with a full ablution. Believers wear clean or new clothes, and many use perfumes. Then Muslims head to mosques for the festive prayer, after which the imam delivers a sermon - khutbah.

      The next mandatory step is visiting the cemetery. People come to the graves of their loved ones, tidy up, and say prayers. Only after this is the ritual of sacrifice performed - as an act of mercy and care for others.

      Sacrificial animal: rules for selection

      The animal (sheep, goat, cow, or camel) is chosen in advance. It must be healthy, without physical defects - no lameness, blindness, or diseases. The age is also strictly regulated:

      for a sheep or goat - at least one year;

      for a cow - from two years;

      for a camel - from five years.

      (For a ram, Sharia allows 6-8 months if well-fed, but to avoid misunderstandings, many believers adhere to the one-year age.)

      The meat is divided into three equal parts: one is kept for oneself, the second is given to relatives and friends, and the third is for those in need. Thus, the holiday teaches sharing and reminds that true joy lies in caring for others.

      What is prohibited during the holiday

      During Kurban Bayram, the following are strictly prohibited:

      quarreling, cursing, and foul language;

      consumption of alcohol (haram on any day, but especially during the holiday);

      heavy physical labor;

      dirty or unkempt clothing;

      refusal to help or give alms to those who ask.

      The holiday calls for forgiving grievances, reconciling with those with whom one is in conflict, and being generous - this is the manifestation of the very devotion and mercy that underlie Kurban Bayram.

      Where May 27 is a holiday

      In nine subjects of the Russian Federation, May 27 is officially declared a non-working day. The list includes: Adygea, Bashkortostan, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, Tatarstan, Chechnya, and Crimea. In these regions, local authorities traditionally support the celebration of Kurban Bayram at the state level.

      How congratulations are expressed

      When meeting, Muslims say to each other: "Eid Mubarak!" ("Blessed holiday!"). It is customary to give sweets, visit friends, and treat everyone - from relatives to neighbors. The festive table should be abundant but without alcohol: tea, juices, compotes, pastries, and, of course, dishes made from sacrificial meat are served.

      Kurban Bayram continues until Sunday, May 31, but the main rituals are already behind. The remaining days are devoted by believers to communication with loved ones, prayers, and good deeds - all that makes this holiday a day of memory, mercy, and unity.