Minnesota Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha. What is the holiday?

The holiday that marks the end of the Hajj, an annual pilgrimage, is celebrated with prayer and social events.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
June 6, 2025 at 4:05PM
People posed for photos after the first Eid Al-Adha prayer service in Huntington Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota.
People pose for photos after an Eid Al-Adha prayer service in 2021 at Huntington Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota. (Glen Stubbe/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Minnesota Muslims joined millions around the world Friday in celebration of Eid al-Adha, which marks the end of the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca, called the Hajj.

Eid is also called the “festival of the sacrifice” and it commemorates the prophet Abraham, who was prepared to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God’s command, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations-MN. The holiday is celebrated with prayer, social gatherings and small gifts for children and those in need.

It is one of two Eid holidays celebrated by Muslims each year. The other is Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.

Many Muslims will greet each other during the holiday using the phrase “Eid Mubarak,” which conveys a blessing on the celebration.

Prayer events were held Friday morning across the Twin Cities, including the Minneapolis Convention Center and St. Paul RiverCentre. Back in 2022, a “Super Eid” event was held at U.S. Bank Stadium, where about 45,000 people came together to celebrate.

Special ticket prices are available at Valleyfair for families celebrating Eid al-Adha from June 6 to June 10.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly described the Eid holiday.
about the writer

about the writer

Zoë Jackson

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Zoë Jackson is a general assignment reporter for the Star Tribune. She previously covered race and equity, St. Paul neighborhoods and young voters on the politics team.

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