The first weekend in September was a four-day weekend for those in the Dubai work world and a three-day weekend for those in the USA. Before you get excited over how much the Emiratis and Americans have in common, you should know that these national holidays actually have nothing in common. While the Americans are celebrating “Labor Day,” a day to commemorate the social and economic achievements of the American worker, Emiratis and other Muslims around the world are celebrating “Eid Al Adha,” or Festival of the Sacrifice, to celebrate the sacrifice that Abraham was willing to make in killing his own son.
Maybe you’re now thinking, hey wait, (Christian) Americans and Muslims share a common ground in their religious beliefs?! Actually, there are a few slight yet crucial differences to point out. First, while Christians also believe that Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son, we believe he intended to slay Isaac, born of his wife Sarah. Muslims on the other hand believe that Abraham intended for Ishmael, his son born of Hagaar, Sarah’s mistress, to be the sacrifice. This difference in beliefs makes complete sense considering Jesus is a descendant of Isaac while the Muslims’ prophet, Mohammed, and his descendants trace back to Ishmael.
A more important difference is that Muslims believe sacrifice, then and now, was not to atone for one’s sins, but rather to prove one’s commitment or faith to God (Allah.) Christians believe that sacrifice was required to atone for a man’s sins prior to Jesus’ death. We also believe that Jesus was sacrificed as the atonement for all mankind’s sins, and therefore sacrifice is no longer required of us by God. We must only believe and accept that Jesus died for our sins to have eternal life.
Muslims celebrate Eid Al Adha by sacrificing a lamb or goat and sharing it amongst family, friends, and the poor. They also give gifts and hold big celebrations. We’re not really big into mutton.... So how did the Bollhardt family celebrate the long weekend? With the girls’ first bowling night (please note the scores...), the most terrifying flying rainbow car ride, sunsets, ice cream, fireworks on the beach, splash pads, and why not more sunsets, ice cream, and fireworks on the beach!
Ella managed to get the first 4-way split known to man (above)
View from our balcony (above)
The construction of the largest ferris wheel in the world is almost complete!
