Muslims around the world will be celebrating Eid al Adha on Wednesday 28 or Thursday 29 June depending upon sighting of the moon. It is one of the most significant holidays in the Islamic calendar.

Eid al Adha commemorates the completion of hajj — a pilgrimage to Mecca. Every year, in the final month of the Islamic calendar, called Dhul Hijjah, Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia the birthplace of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), in order to make the hajj.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, meaning it’s one of the top five things a practicing Muslim should do as part of their connection with God. Hajj is obligatory for every Muslim who is fit and well and can afford to make the pilgrimage.

The hajj itself is a series of rituals that follow in the footsteps of the prophets Abraham and Ismail. Muslims believe that prophet Abraham, as instructed by Allah, built the first house of worship for Allah to be worshiped in a monotheistic way. That house is the Kaaba in Mecca.

According to the Quran prophet Abraham and his wife Hagar had a son after many years of praying to Allah. However, Allah asked prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of devotion. The couple travelled to Mecca to undertake the sacrifice – a route followed on the Hajj pilgrimage. But at the last minute, Allah told prophet Abraham to stay his hand and provided him with a ram to sacrifice instead.

On Eid al-Adha, Muslims traditionally honour prophet Abraham’s devotion to Allah by sacrificing a sheep, goat, cow or camel. Muslims are expected to share their food with the less fortunate. Traditionally, the meat is divided into three equal parts: one for the home; one for family, friends and neighbours; and one for the poor. Muslims are also expected to make donations to charity to mark the festival.

The celebration of Eid al-Adha begins at mosque with a special prayer, ‘Salat al-Eid’, followed by a sermon called a khutbah. Traditionally, this is followed by the sacrifice and rest of the day is devoted to visiting the houses of friends and family. Muslims exchange the traditional greeting, ‘Eid Mubarak’ (‘have a blessed Eid’) and swap gifts.

Sharing a meal with family and friends plays an important role on Eid al-Adha. The dishes that are eaten vary according to culture, but in many South Asian households, like mine, meat-based meals of kebabs, meat pilau, biryani and curries are very common.

I am looking forward to celebrating with my family, friends and neighbours and wish Ed Mubarak to all marking the festival.

Dr Javid Bashir is a Lecturer in Policing at Leeds Trinity University