WASHINGTON: Many Muslims throughout the United States on Thursday celebrated both Thanksgiving and the end of Haj with activities that focused on helping the needy and stressing the importance of family to people from all faiths.
At the White House, President Barack Obama sent a message to all Muslims, both in the US and throughout the world. ''The rites of the pilgrimage and Eid Al Adha remind us that the three largest religions in the world all claim descent from Abraham,'' he said.
Since taking office, President Obama has reached out to the Muslim world and demonstrated an understanding of Islam.
In the spirit of the holiday, some US companies also engaged with the American Muslim community.
A Thanksgiving advert from Best Buy that also wished readers a happy Eid upset some critics but pleased American Muslims. The retailer had asked customers to shop at its website on Thanksgiving Day. On the advert in smaller print were also the words "Happy Eid al-Adha."
The advert did not sit well with all customers, with some protesting to Best Buy, while conservative blogs called for a boycott of the electronics retailer.
Eid al-Adha happened to fall this year on "Black Friday," the day after Thanksgiving and one of the busiest sale days of the year for retailers.
Throughout the US this week many Muslims focused on doing good deeds for Eid, according to the Council on American Islamic Relations.
In the states of New Jersey, Ohio and Mississippi Muslims volunteered and donated food in aid of the poor.
The Muslims Against Hunger Project organized special "Muslims Serve" days this week to recall the ultimate sacrifice the Prophet Abraham was prepared to make and to offer thanks for God's many blessings.
Muslim university students in North Carolina this year donated food to groups that feed the hungry.
While in California, Iowa and Georgia many interfaith activities and services were held.
At the Saudi Embassy, the Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel Al-Jubeir held the Eid Al-Adha prayer. Afterwards he hosted a breakfast for embassy staff and members of the Saudi community. An estimated 550 people attended.
