Local Muslims mark Eid al-Adha amid the looming prospect of war

In the courtyard of the Wilson-Pacific Building, where the sounds of Islamic prayer could be heard and where tables boasting colorful head scarves for sale mixed with tables piled high with "No Iraq War" signs, Jamil Abdul-Razzak stood, troubled.

Yesterday was a day of celebration for Muslims, the first of three days of Eid al-Adha, which marks the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice for God.

But even as several thousand Muslims from across Western Washington gathered at the building in North Seattle to celebrate this Festival of Sacrifice, the drums of war were sounding, and joy mixed with anxiety.

For Abdul-Razzak, 73, a Seattle man who emigrated from Iraq decades ago and still has dozens of relatives there, his abhorrence of war of any kind was mixed with a fierce desire for Iraqis to be liberated peacefully from their draconian living conditions.

On this holy holiday, he grappled with issues of faith and war. "I lost faith in humanity — in people helping people," he said, shaking his head with a sigh. "How can you solve this problem? By war? By peace?"

For Muslims, Eid al-Adha is a reminder to submit to the will of God, and of God's mercy. It commemorates not only Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son as a demonstration of faith but also God's last-minute decision to allow a ram to be killed in place of the boy.

Eid is celebrated with prayers, gifts for children, and, for those who can afford it, the sacrifice of a sheep, cow or camel and the distribution of the meat to family, friends and the needy.

It is typically a time of joy and peace, when those who have participated in hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca required of all able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lives, are considered purified.

"It's three days of eating and having fun," said Aziz Junejo, host and producer of the Seattle cable-access TV show "Focus on Islam."

Eid is also a time of unity, when Muslims worldwide gather in prayer and celebrate the end of hajj with the pilgrims who made the trip. This year, an estimated 2 million Muslims participated in hajj.

"Islam is all about unity," said Irmina Haq, 17, a high-school student dressed in a new light-green chiffon outfit sent by her aunt in India.

That unity, Haq said, was why she was handing out fliers for a weekend anti-war rally at the Eid celebration. Members of the local Muslim community, who hail from many countries and cultures, are going to have to unite and "speak out and let our voices be heard," she said. "If anything happens, innocent Muslims are going to die."

For Abdul-Razzak, struggling with issues of war and peace, Eid was a timely reminder of the meaning of Islam itself: Surrender to the will of God.

"God tests us," he said. "We are being tested on how we will decide on doing things. I have faith in God. The right thing will be done — hopefully."

Janet I. Tu: 206-464-2272 or jtu@seattletimes.com