By Ayesha Ahmad, IOL Washington Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (IslamOnline) - Picnics, family activities, gift-giving and games for children - these are the usual activities that follow the morning prayer on the two 'Eid holidays for Muslims around the world, and this 'Eid al-Adha - the second 'Eid in the Islamic year 1422 - will be pretty much the same as it has always been for Muslims in America.

But for some communities, there is a difference this year, a heightened awareness of themselves as a community and of the non-Muslim community around them entering even their own religious celebrations.

Just as there are differences with regards to which day the communities decide to celebrate 'Eid - some followed the progress of the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and celebrated 'Eid on Friday, the day after the prayer rituals at Arafat, while others will follow the tradition of sighting the moon in North America and celebrate 'Eid on Saturday - there are differing approaches to the celebration of this holiday in the post-September 11 world.

Some communities are even changing their 'Eid festivities in light of the great need for outreach to the surrounding community, while others feel that going about business as usual is the best approach for their community.

At the Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center in Urbana, Illinois, which celebrated 'Eid on Friday, the 'Eid carnival set for Sunday is intended to attract non-Muslim visitors as well, according to the mosque's Imam Mujahid al-Fayadh.

"In the past, before September 11, we used to invite only Muslims to come," he said. "But nowadays we are trying to share these festivities with community members [and] some organizations in town. This is really a significant thing that we have."

Imam al-Fayadh said that his Islamic Center hosted an open house on Friday - with young Muslims decorating the mosque - and that the Center asked Muslims to bring friends, neighbors and colleagues. It is to be "a kind of celebration for Muslims and a kind of open house for the non-Muslims," he said.

The Center also hosted a "very unique" 'Eid breakfast after the prayer, "for all community members," which included a question-and-answer session and the distribution of toys and gifts for the children, Imam al-Fayadh said.

"The number of people coming for Friday prayer has doubled, I would say. This is the same thing for the Eid prayer," he said. "People are coming and trying to be closer to each other during the festivities."

"I would say that people are really more involved in some of our activities than before," he added. "They are eager to come on time, share with others the celebration."

Sayyid Syeed, secretary general of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), said that this greater spiritual sensitivity was sparked by the "colossal disaster" of September 11.

"All humans have been affected by it, and Muslims have been affected in many more ways than others," he said. "And the fact that the religion of Islam was involved in one way or another… has heightened our sensitivities towards people who are closer to us" by way of religion, he added.

Not only Muslims, but people of all other faiths also found a deeper connection to God and religion after September 11, he said, noting a "heightened sensitivity towards spirituality, towards Islam."

Syeed described how the holy month of Ramadan and the first 'Eid celebration had given Muslims in America much time to ponder about issues that were suddenly at the forefront of their lives.

"This 'Eid is special, because it is to commemorate the great spirit of sacrifice that Prophet Ibrahim went through," he said, referring to the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son for the sake of God.

"This 'Eid, there will be more deliberation, more thinking, how we will be able to create that understanding and harmony between different religions."

Currently on an official tour of Asia, U.S. President George W. Bush, a devout Christian, sent an ‘Eid message to American Muslims across the country. The message states in full:

I am pleased to send warm greetings to Muslims across the United States as you celebrate the Eid al-Adha holiday.

As you join in spirit with those gathered in Mecca to observe the traditions of one of your most sacred feasts, may you share joyful and reverent fellowship with family and friends.

During this special time, our Nation is reminded of the remarkable contributions of American Muslims to our history, culture, and way of life. Our spiritual foundation and common heritage will continue to guide us as we strive to strengthen our country and advance peace and goodness in our world.

Laura joins me in sending our best wishes for a joyous observance.

Altaf Husain, president of the national Muslim Student Association, said that 'Eid al-Adha was both symbolic of solidarity with Muslims all over the world - in that it follows the Hajj ritual of Arafat, when Muslims of all backgrounds are "standing in solidarity in the pilgrimage, shedding their differences of ethnic race and nationality to celebrate their brotherhood" - and symbolic of the spirit of sacrifice, as Syeed said.

"The message of this Eid coincides with the sacrifice that Americans in general are being called to make regarding tough economic times, and maybe to develop a stronger relationship with God as their source of inspiration," Husain said.

He added that, as this was the second Islamic holiday and third major Islamic event (including Ramadan) after September 11, Muslims in America were finally returning to some semblance of normality in their lives.

"Muslims are definitely beyond the initial anxiety and fear that surrounded the first 'Eid," he said, "and so this shows us that we're moving past the initial shock and backlash, and becoming acclimated to returning to life as normal," as many other Americans did for Christmas and other religious holidays.

Unlike the outreach activities planned for the Urbana Islamic center, "life as normal" was the approach some other American Muslim communities took to their 'Eid celebrations.

When asked what might be different for this 'Eid, Sabir Rahman, president of the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, said, "Absolutely nothing. Why should there by any difference?"

The MCC will have a prayer congregation in the morning on Saturday, followed by a cookout. As far as other 'Eid celebration activities, "The community has other arrangements and we participate," he said.

At the Islamic Center of Raleigh in Raleigh, North Carolina, the 'Eid prayer on Friday was held as usual - in two shifts, to accommodate as many worshippers as possible - and the Center will hold an 'Eid picnic on Sunday for the children.

Mohamed Boutrid, from the Center's office, said that although his mosque's community activities had certainly been affected by September 11, there would be the same 'Eid festivities as always.

"Outreach… and da'wah… programs have increased tremendously because of demands," he said, "but not related to 'Eid. 'Eid is just going to be the same, we don't have anything different."

Despite the different approaches, and despite the differences of opinion regarding which day 'Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on, Muslims across the board will remember the sacrifice of the Prophet Ibrahim - known in the West as the father of three religions - as they provide their own sacrifices in commemoration of the ram that was killed in place of Abraham's son.

At mosques across America, "udhiyya", or religious sacrificial ceremonies, will provide food for needy people both here and in Muslim countries around the world.

ISNA, one of America's largest Muslim organizations - with an annual conference attendance of about 25,000 - joined the National Shura Council and Fiqh Council in announcing 'Eid al-Adha for Saturday, Feb. 23, although many communities in America celebrated on Friday. The organization's statement spoke to the need for unity between Muslims:

"If we have legitimate differences in legal interpretation [of moon sighting], this does not mean that we are disunited," the statement reads. "These differences should not be taken as a sign of disunity among Muslims. We are united in our beliefs and in our love for each other."