Eid al-Adha 2013: Muslims Around the World Observe Festival of Sacrifice [PHOTOS]

Muslims around the world have celebrated Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, from the evening of 14 October with prayers and the slaughtering of animals.

Eid al-Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, and is one of Islam's most sacred holidays. The Eid al-Adha 2013 ends at dusk on 15 October.

Eid al-Adha, also known as Bakr Eid, commemorates Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his only son, Ishmael, to God. In the Quran, as Ibrahim is about to sacrifice his son, a voice from heaven stops him and allows him to sacrifice a ram instead. As a reward for his reverence towards God, Ibrahim was granted the birth of his second son.

During Eid al-Adha every year, Muslims slaughter animals - mainly goats, sheep and camels - to symbolise the sacrifice made by Ibrahim and to re-enact the story. A large amount of meat from the sacrificial animal is given away to the poor as an act of charity and kindness. Muslims also offer prayers at mosques during the festival.

Scroll down to see the photos of Eid al-Adha tradition and celebrations from around the world.