Anxiety and Joy: Eid al-Adha and "Inside Out 2''

Between Anxiety and Joy: Eid al-Adha, "Inside Out 2," and the Surprising Connection Between Them

Eid al-Adha is a pilgrimage to Mecca, a significant event for Muslims worldwide. This year, an extreme heat wave in the region claimed many lives, reminding us of the heavy price of blind faith at times.

The Muslim Eid al-Adha, which falls at the end of June this year, coincides with the release date of the animated film "Inside Out 2." Coincidence? Perhaps. But the connection between the holiday and the film is far more interesting when delving into the meanings and stories behind them.

The two founding stories of Judaism and Islam, the Binding of Isaac and the Binding of Ishmael, are at the heart of Eid al-Adha. The names Isaac and Ishmael, despite their phonetic similarity, carry vastly different meanings.

Ishmael – his name signifies anxiety ("listen" and "God") and blind obedience to God.

Isaac – his name signifies joy ("laughter") and hope, representing an optimistic worldview and faith in human goodness.

In the movie "Inside Out 2," the two central characters, Joy and Sadness, struggle for control of the heroine's mind. It's a struggle we all know – between fear and worry and optimism and joy. Just like in the story of the Binding of Ishmael, anxiety tries to take over, but in the end, joy wins and returns the heroine to a healthier and more balanced worldview.

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