Source: The Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/religion/2379136

On January 30, 2004 The Houston Chronicle reported, "Because of Super Bowl XXXVIII and related events, Houston's Muslim community won't be having a citywide service for Sunday's Feast of Abraham, one of Islam's most sacred holy days. Muslims were unable to rent a large facility to hold a citywide service on game day, said Aziz A. Siddiqi, president of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston. In the past, Muslims have held their observances at the George R. Brown Convention Center or Reliant Arena. 'It would be nice if we could go to a large place, but we understand they have to do this,' Siddiqi said. The Feast of Abraham, Eid ul Adha, commemorates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ismail (Isaac in Christian and Jewish traditions) in response to God' s command. Instead of one central service, the society is urging Muslims to attend one of 20 mosques for services at 8:30 or 10 a.m. Sunday."