While it is well-known that Muslims around the globe fast for one month during Ramadan, the holiday following that month is actually a minor Islamic celebration. The most important holiday of the Islamic calendar is Eid-ul-Adha, which commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham and his son Ishmael (peace be upon them).
Muslims believe that Abraham had a dream in which he sacrificed Ishmael. When he recounted this dream to his son, Ishmael expressed willingness to sacrifice his own life for the sake of God. Just before the sacrifice was to take place, however, God stopped him and told Abraham to sacrifice a lamb instead.
God was testing Abraham’s faith. Sacrificing anything requires a certain amount of strength in one’s faith. The festival of Eid-ul-Adha commemorates this spirit of sacrifice, which entails volunteering our time in service to others and donating to the less fortunate. In celebration, Muslims donate meat to the poor and make other donations to the less fortunate. The meat is symbolic of Abraham’s willingness to make a major sacrifice.