Muslims worldwide gathered to celebrate one of their major holidays, Eid ul Adha, Monday, Sept. 12. Raleigh muslims gathered at the NC State fairgrounds for prayer in the morning, dressed in their best clothes.

          “Eid is all about being with family and friends, and just being thankful for the things Allah, God, has blessed us with,” said Hana Al-Qasas, Secretary for the Muslim Student Association

(MSA).

          Eid ul Adha in Arabic translates to the “festival of sacrifice.” Muslims gather for prayer to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim, known as Abraham to Christians and Jews,  for his willingness to sacrifice his son to God and God’s mercy on him by substituting a ram instead.

        “To me, Eid is about learning to accept God into your life wholeheartedly, and just trusting him. The parties and fun stuff are honestly just a bonus,” said Hanna Ibrahim, member of MSA.

         During the holiday, which lasts for three days, muslims slaughter either a ram, goat or cow. They distribute part of this meat to the poor and needy.

        In Saudi Arabia, millions of muslims gather to complete the final rites of the Pilgrimage to Mecca, Hajj. During the last three days of Hajj, male pilgrims shave their head and females cut a small lock of hair as a show of rebirth.

       “God Willing, I aspire to attend Hajj when I am older and have the money to attend. It’s my biggest goal in life, just like any other Muslim,” said Ibrahim.

        Pilgrims also circle the Ka’aba in Mecca, the cubed monument built by Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Ismail, also known as Ishmael to Christians and Jews. This site is the most sacred in Islam, and acknowledged by muslims as the House of Allah, God.

      “My dad went to Hajj a few years ago and he brought back some mementos. The pictures were really cool,”said Abdul Rahman Atere, sophomore.

       This year’s Eid happened to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the 9/11. Many Muslims reported getting hate messages via twitter. On the evening of 9/11, the mosque, Fort Pierce Islamic Center, where Orlando nightclub bomber, Omar Mateen, attended was burnt down. Authorities are still investigating.

      According to TIME, Authorities are sure that the fire was set intentionally and is being investigated as arson. Mateen, who shot and killed 49 people in June, attended this mosque regularly since 2003, according to CNN.

      A suspect  has already been identified in the case. An ex-convict, who posted anti-islamic rants online, Joseph Schreiber confessed to the crime shortly after police arrested him. He faces a sentence of a maximum of 30 years in prison for second degree arson with a hate crime enhancement.

     “I really cannot believe people still blame Muslims for 9/11. but what about the millions of Muslims who died because of it,” said Ibrahim.

      Most of the muslims at Athens Drive were absent the entire school day in observance of the holiday. Many posted pictures of their day on social media outlets such as Instagram and Twitter.

    “Eid Mubarak to all my muslim brothers and sisters, I hope it was lit,” said Ibrahim.