Important Islamic Holiday to Fall on 9/11 Anniversary This Year

As Americans prepare for the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 Islamist attacks, Muslims are reportedly concerned that a convergence with one of their most important holidays, but should we all be concerned about another problem?

According to a report last week by the New York Times, a number of that city’s Muslims are concerned that their Eid al-Adha celebrations may be misconstrued as “celebrating” 9/11. Eid al-Adha is meant to honor those who have already passed away, much like Memorial Day is meant to honor those who died in service to our country.

“Some people might want to make something out of that,” Habeeb Ahmed, who was recently elected president of the Islamic Center of Long Island, told the Times, adding that he could easily foresee how some might misunderstand the festivities, and say, “Look at these Muslims, they are celebrating 9/11.”

And some have even asked the Muslim community to consider postponing or delaying their celebrations out of respect for those who died on Sept. 11, 2001. But there’s a much more sinister side to the annual event, the date of which is dependent upon lunar activity.

A number of Islamist attacks have been conducted on Eid al-Adha, including more recently:

2015—suicide bombers in Yemen, killed 35 in separate attacks during prayers at mosques.

2014—ISIS announced it would conduct terrorist attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting those who were taking part in the Haj—the pilgrimage to Mecca—that were to coincide with the holiday.

2012—a suicide bomber in Maymana, Afghanistan, killed 40 during prayers at a mosque.

Eid al-Adha has never coincided with Sept. 11 since the 9/11 attacks before. And with ISIS incurring greater losses to U.S. forces of late, it might be a time when the Islamists could choose to strike back.