Muslims in China's northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are also marking Eid al-Adha with the religious ritual, "qurban". CCTV reporter Wu Guoxiu visited Urumqi to find out more.
Muslims in China's northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are also marking Eid al-Adha with the religious ritual, "qurban".
Like other male adult Muslims, this old man began Eid al-Adha with a morning prayer at the mosque.
Such a big religious service like this usually happens twice a year, one for the end of Ramadan two months ago; and one for Eid al-Adha or Corban Festival.
Yanghang mosque has attracted about 10 thousand followers.
The Muslims here are mostly Uygurs, an ethnic minority in China. For such an occasion like this, they break out in dances, even in the ever-solemn mosque.
After their prayers, they all make their way home for what might be a bloody affair…
That’s right...the slaughtering of lambs.
"I live in this building. They sell lambs here, and this is very convenient for me. They can also slaughter the lambs here. It's such a good business," said Mahamati Xerip, local Muslim.
Muslims in China's northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are also marking Eid al-Adha with the religious ritual, "qurban".
Old man Xerip bought a lamb from Hasim a week ago. He has been selling them for the past twenty years.
"I've sold over a hundred lambs for this festival. Each lamb can bring me about a 100 or 200 yuan," he said.
Slaughtering a lamb is a tradition for each Muslim family on this day. And judging from his takings, it is clear that they take this tradition very seriously.
"The Festival has a very important meaning. The lamb to be slaughtered should be healthy -- its ears, eyes, and legs need to be normal. Some people, though, will choose lean or fat lambs," said Zai Bijiang, local Muslim.
The lambs seem to know what their fate will be. But they can’t avoid it. The lambs, once slaughtered, are quickly turned into, a dish. It'll be served as part of a family feast, and also to the guests.
Old man Xerip says his three of his other children and their families have yet to arrive. So just imagine how much bigger the meals and gatherings this family will see in the coming days.
