Muslims Divided over When to Observe Holidays

March 6, 2001

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

On March 6, 2001, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Muslims are divided over when to celebrate Eid al Adha, the end of the hajj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca. Some think they "must coordinate the date of the Eid according to the hajj." Others think they "must follow the sighting of the moon in [their] local area...For years the two schools of thought have been trying to come up with a unified date for the Eid." Aminah McCloud, professor of Islamic studies at DePaul University, said "It would be nice for the sake of unity to have it on the same day."