Eid-el-Kabir: How FCT residents plan to celebrate

Across the Muslim world, Eid-el-Kabir remains one of the most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar. The festival commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, in obedience to Allah’s command before a ram was provided in his place. For many Muslims, the season goes beyond slaughtering rams and festive meals. It is a […]

Across the Muslim world, Eid-el-Kabir remains one of the most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar. The festival commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, in obedience to Allah’s command before a ram was provided in his place.

For many Muslims, the season goes beyond slaughtering rams and festive meals. It is a period of reflection, sacrifice, charity and family bonding.

In Abuja, residents across Kubwa, Lugbe, Wuse, Jahi, Jabi, Utako, Wuye, Gwarinpa and Asokoro spoke on how they will celebrate the festival today.

Some residents told Abuja Metro they would be keeping the celebration modest this year, while others said they were focused more on the spiritual lessons of the season than elaborate festivities.

Amina Abdullahi, who lives in Kubwa, said Eid-el-Kabir reminds her of faith, sacrifice and gratitude to Allah.

“This season fills my heart with gratitude because it reminds me that Allah always provides at the right time,” she said.

She said she would spend the Sallah at home with close friends and neighbours, sharing meals and visiting an orphanage around her area with food items.

A civil servant, Zubairu Danladi, said the true essence of Eid-el-Kabir was gradually being overshadowed by showmanship and social media competition.

“People now focus too much on expensive rams and fine clothes. The real lesson is sacrifice, sincerity and helping others,” he said.

Danladi said he would remain in Abuja for the celebration due to work commitments and attend prayers at the National Mosque with friends.

In Lugbe, Steven Ibrahim said his family had decided to keep this year’s celebration simple because of the economy.

“We bought a small ram this year, but Alhamdulillah, we are grateful. What matters most is being together as a family,” he said.

He said the family would spend the holiday visiting neighbours and relatives quietly while also setting aside money for their children’s school needs.

A caterer in Gwarinpa, Hafsat Abdulkareem, described Sallah as both a spiritual season and a busy business period.

“Sallah is always hectic because people order food in large quantities, but I still make time for my family,” she said.

She added that her family bought two rams this year, one for the household and another to appreciate her workers.

Fatima Usman, a retired civil servant in Asokoro, said age had changed her perspective about the celebration.

“At my age, I now understand that the noise does not matter. I prefer buying a small ram and using the remaining money to help young girls around me,” she said.

Halima Suleiman, a banker living in Jabi, said the season was a reminder to support the less privileged.

“There are many people struggling around us. Every year, I contribute money towards buying rams for widows in our community,” she said.

At Wuse Market, Hauwa Ibrahim said traders were battling poor sales and rising costs ahead of the celebration.

“Things are expensive and many people are buying less this year, but we still thank Allah,” she said.

She said she planned to buy a small ram for her family and also share food with neighbours regardless of their religion.

Another resident, Nurudeen Adeyemi, a pharmacist in Wuse Zone 5, urged residents to avoid excessive eating during the holiday.

“People eat too much meat during Sallah and ignore their health. Moderation is important,” he said.

He said his family would combine traditional meals with healthier options during the celebration.

In Utako, Rahmatu Aliyu said she was grateful for the little support she received from her employer despite the harsh economy.

“My children will have food and something to celebrate with, and for me that is enough,” she said.

A private security guard in Asokoro, Idris Yahuza, said he would spend part of the holiday at work before returning home later in the day.

“Sallah is also about sacrifice and responsibility. Even while working, I know my neighbours will still share food with me,” he said.

A final year student living in Jahi, Bashir Lawal, said he would not be travelling home for the celebration because of academic commitments.

“It’s not the same as being with family, but we’ll make the best of it here with friends and course mates,” he said.

He said some students staying back in Abuja had already planned to pray together and share meals during the holiday.

Across the FCT, many residents said the rising cost of rams, foodstuff and transportation had forced them to scale down their plans this year.