Muslims around the world begin celebrating Eid al-Adha
Millions of faithful mark three-day holiday commemorating the readiness of Ibrahim -- Abraham in the Christian and Jewish faiths -- to sacrifice his son
Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, began Tuesday evening for the approximately 2 billion Muslims worldwide, marking the most significant annual holiday in Islam.
The festival, which takes place on the final days of hajj — the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia — is a joyous occasion celebrated by Muslims around the world to commemorate Ibrahim’s test of faith.
During the three-day festival, Muslims around the world will slaughter an animal — a goat, sheep, bull or camel — keeping a third for themselves and giving a third to friends and relatives and a third to charity.
The ritual commemorates the readiness of Ibrahim — Abraham in the Christian and Jewish faiths — to sacrifice his son to show obedience to Allah.
This year, more than 1.8 million Muslims took part in the hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, as one of the world’s largest religious gatherings returned to capacity following years of coronavirus restrictions.
The hajj has been held every year since the time of the prophet, even through wars, plagues and other turmoil. Some pilgrims spend their whole lives saving up for the journey or wait years before getting a permit, which Saudi authorities distribute to countries based on a quota system.
