Four Wars Amidst Eid al-Adha: A Festival of Sacrifice Marked by Sorrow and Concern
JAKARTA, CNBC INDONESIA — Eid al-Adha this year has not been fully joyous for Muslims worldwide, with Iranian Muslims even celebrating the festival amid war. Celebrating Eid al-Adha during wartime is not unprecedented; over the past 40 years, the world has witnessed at least three instances of Eid being observed in conflict zones.
- Gulf Wars
Over the past 31 years, the Persian Gulf region has been the epicentre of three major conflicts that shook the global economy, oil prices, and geopolitical stability. These conflicts, known as Gulf War I, II, and III, all centred around Iraq.
Gulf War I lasted from August 1990 to February 1991. There was no Eid al-Adha during this period as the festival fell on 3 July 1990 and 23 June 1991, outside the conflict timeline.
Gulf War II, also known as the Iraq War, began on 20 March 2003 and concluded on 18 December 2011. Led by the US under President George W. Bush, the invasion was justified by claims of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and alleged links to international terrorism. Iraqi citizens celebrated Eid al-Adha between 2004 and 2011 under sombre conditions. By February 2004, despite the US toppling Saddam Hussein’s regime a year prior, the Iraq War was far from over. Instead of subsiding, the conflict entered a more complex phase of guerrilla warfare and armed insurgency spreading across regions.
- Afghanistan War
The Afghanistan War began with the global shock of the 11 September 2001 attacks. Terrorist group al-Qaeda hijacked planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center and Pentagon in the US, killing thousands and reshaping American foreign policy. Washington accused al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden of hiding in Afghanistan under Taliban protection. Less than a month later, on 7 October 2001, the US and allies launched a massive military invasion. The Taliban quickly fell, losing power by December 2001 as the US began building a new government. Major military bases like Bagram became US war operation hubs. However, the initially anticipated short conflict turned into a two-decade-long struggle, with US forces withdrawing in August 2021. Eid al-Adha in 2002 fell on 22 February, just three months after the invasion, and Afghan civilians continued celebrating the festival amid war for years after.
- Gaza War
The Gaza War erupted on 7 October 2023 and remains ongoing. Palestinian residents must celebrate Eid al-Adha in June 2024 and 2025, as well as May this year, under deeply concerning circumstances.
- Iran War
The Iran War began on 28 February 2026. After nearly three months, there are no signs of the conflict ending despite intensive ceasefire efforts. This year marks the first time Iranian Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha since the war began. In Iran, Eid al-Adha is commonly referred to as Eid-e Ghorban and is a national holiday. However, the festival’s atmosphere in Iran is often described as calmer than in other Muslim nations due to its distinct Shia religious culture.