When does Eid al-Adha happen in Australia in 2024? Why do the dates always change?

This weekend is a big one in the Islamic calendar, with Eid al-Adha celebrations set to be held across the country. Here’s why you might be hearing people say “Eid Mubarak!” over the coming days. When is Eid al-Adha in 2024?The Day of Arafah is on Saturday, June 15. That means Eid al-Adha is on Sunday, June 16. That’s according to a declaration made by the Grand Mufti of Australia, Ibrahim Abu Mohamad.Dr Mohamad’s announcement said the date was chosen in line with the celebration in Saudi Arabia.His statement said he and the Australian Fatwa Council were “conscious of keeping the Muslim community united, particularly during Islamic occasions and celebrations”.”The Australian National Imams Council acknowledges, understands, and respects the imams and scholars who may hold different opinions,” the statement says. “It calls upon the community to respect the differences of opinions on this matter and strive towards the greater good and unity of the Muslim community.”Why do the dates for Eid change?The Islamic lunar calendar is based on the Moon cycle.But the Gregorian calendar — the one that tells us today is Friday, June 14 — is based on the Earth’s movements around the Sun.And there’s a difference of about 10 to 12 days between the two. This means important dates on the Islamic calendar don’t line up with the Gregorian calendar dates — or the seasons. Christian Australians might associate a religious holiday like Christmas with summer and Jewish Australians might associate Passover with autumn.But that’s not the case with Islamic holidays. For example, Ramadan was in the early Australian autumn this year, but in the year 2030, it’ll be in summer. The Department of Home Affairs has a long list of cultural and religious dates on its website in case you’re interested in checking out other dates.Haven’t we already had Eid this year?There are two Eids each Islamic calendar year. Eid means “feast” or “festival” in Arabic and while both events are times for celebration, they are distinctly different. In April, Muslims celebrated Eid al-Fitr.That’s a celebration at the end of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan — when observers refrain from eating and drinking dawn until after the sun had gone down.  The celebration this weekend is Eid al-Adha. Eid means “feast” or “festival” in Arabic.(Reuters: Kholood Eid)What is Eid al-Adha?It’s known as the Feast of Sacrifice — one of the biggest Islamic festivals of the year. The multi-day celebrations include prayers, exchanging gifts, dressing up and feasting. It honours the actions of Prophet Abraham and the survival of his son Ishmael when Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his son in a test of faith.However, according to Islamic teaching, God replaced Ishmael with a sheep before the event could take place.Muslims mark this intervention by slaughtering sheep and other livestock such as goats and cows with the intention of charity.The sacrificial act and the sharing of the meat is commonly known as “Qurbani”.Traditionally, the meat is to be divided and shared equally among family, friends and the less fortunate.How do I wish someone a happy Eid?The most common greeting is “Eid Mubarak”, which translates to “Blessed Eid”.”Eid Mubarak” is also applicable to Eid al-Fitr.