Crisis averted? Muslim Eid skips controversial 9/11 date

Islam’s annual Eid al-Adha celebrations will likely fall on September 12 this year, relieving anxious Muslims of ‘awkward’ 9/11 scenarios amid a tense period for the global community.

The ‘Feast of Sacrifice’ holiday – the biggest yearly Muslim celebration - is observed on the tenth day of Dhul Hijjah [the final month in the Islamic calendar] and is entirely dependent on the sighting of the moon.

On Thursday, Saudi Arabia – which usually sets the dates for Eid al-Adha – said the moon was not sighted on the first of September, meaning the holiday is likely to skip the ‘controversial’ 9/11 date.

The significance of Eid al-Adha returns to the days of Prophet Abraham and marks the day in which he was instructed to sacrifice his son for the sake of God, as Muslims believe.

Once the prophet submitted to the request, God instructed him to sacrifice an animal instead.

For this reason, millions of Muslims partaking in the annual Hajj mark the end of the pilgrimage by sacrificing a sheep before taking part in the ‘Feast of Sacrifice’ celebrations.

The act is mirrored around the globe, but this year, millions feared the possibility of Eid falling on the memorable 9/11 date.

In a series of tweets posted online, social media users both mocked the idea while subtly warning others to not ‘worry’ should they see Muslims hugging and celebrating on 9/11 this year.

Some users even templated a what-to-do-guide in the event of a controversial Eid.

Meanwhile, controversial right-wing personality, Katie Hopkins threatened ‘wrath’ should the lunar calendar coincide with 9/11,

However, Saudi Arabia’s announcement has come as quite a relief.