Eid al-Adha, or the 'Feast of Sacrifice', is a Muslim festival celebrated across the globe, marking the willingness of Abraham to offer up his son to Allah. While many Muslims mark the occasion by visiting Mecca in a pilgrimage known as 'Haaj', those unable to make the trip mark the feast in their homelands. Here are some photos showing the many ways Muslims mark the occasion around the world.
A Sri Lankan Muslim child looks on as prayers are said during Eid Al-Adha celebrations at the Galle Face esplanade in ColomboIshara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty ImagesA Pakistani Muslim devotee offers Eid al-Adha prayers at the Badshahi Mosque in LahoreArif Ali/AFP/Getty ImagesIndonesian Muslims ride a boat after attending Eid Al-Adha prayers at the Sunda Kelapa port in JakartaADEK BERRY/AFP/Getty ImagesYoung girls celebrate Eid al-Adha at a festival at Paul Keating Park in Sydney, AustraliaLisa Maree Williams/Getty ImagesIraqis take a ride at an amusement park during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha in BaghdadAHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images
The date of Eid al-Adha alters depending on the Islamic lunar calendar. In the UK in 2015, it began in the evening of 22 September and concluded in the evening of 23 September.
Indonesian Muslims smile as they attend prayer on the 'sea of sands' as they prepare for Eid Al-Adha at Parangkusumo beach in YogyakartaUlet Ifansasti/Getty ImagesPeople buy balloons outside the East London Mosque after Eid Al-Adha prayersRob Stothard/Getty ImagesAfghan policemen hug after Eid-al-Adha prayers in HeratAref Karimi/AFP/Getty ImagesA Palestinian Muslim woman carrying a baby walks past Israeli security forces on her way to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the morning Eid al-Adha prayerMENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty ImagesA woman and daughter ride in a dodgem car during a festival to celebrate Eid al-Adha at Paul Keating Park in Sydney, AustraliaLisa Maree Williams/Getty Images
Muslims traditionally mark the end of Eid al-Adha with the salutation 'Eid Mubarak', which translates as 'blessed Eid'. Visiting the mosque in one's finery is also a common tradition.
Young Muslims take part in Eid Al-Adha prayer at the Syrian Mosque in LagosPIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty ImagesEgyptian Muslim families buy goods as they commemorate the first day of Eid al-AdhaMOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty ImagesRussian Muslims pray outside Saint Petersburg's main mosque during the first day of the Eid al-AdhaOLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty ImagesKyrgyz Muslims pray on the first day of the Eid al-Adha in BishkekVYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP/Getty ImagesKyrgyz Muslims pray on the first day of the Eid al-Adha in BishkekVYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP/Getty ImagesPalestinian youths display sweets outside a shop in Gaza CityMOHAMMED ABED/AFP/Getty Images
Food and family both play major roles, and large meals are usually eaten with one's relatives during Eid al-Adha.
Tunisian children play with sheep on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-AdhaFETHI BELAID/AFP/Getty ImagesA Tunisian girl plays with a sheep, placing sunglasses on it, on the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-AdhaFETHI BELAID/AFP/Getty ImagesIndonesian Muslims smile as they attend prayer on the 'sea of sands' as they prepare for Eid Al-AdhaUlet Ifansasti/Getty ImagesIndonesian Muslims attend Eid Al-Adha prayer in SurabayaRobertus Pudyanto/Getty Images
