Muslims around the world mark Eid al-Adha

The four-day celebration marks the end of the annual hajj pilgrimage.

1 min read

21 August, 2018

Muslim worshippers perform the Eid al-Adha morning prayer outside Beirut's landmark Mohammad al-Amin mosque [Getty]

Millions of Muslims around the world mark Eid-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, on Tuesday, as the annual hajj pilgrimage culminates in Saudi Arabia.

More than two million pilgrims performed the five-day ritual in the kingdom, the custodian of Islam's holiest sites, a duty of every Muslim at least once in their lifetime if they have the financial and physical means to do so.

A sea of worshippers gathered on Mount Arafat on Monday for a day of prayers and reflection where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon, before descending to Muzdalifa to perform the symbolic "stoning of the devil" marking the end of their holy pilgrimage.

The ritual began in earnest on Tuesday as Muslims observe the first day of Eid al-Adha, a four-day celebration marking the remembrance of the willingness of prophet Abraham's sacrifices to his Lord, which many mark by slaughtering an animal, usually a sheep, in the name of God.

It is then divided into three parts, to the poor and needy, to relatives, friends and neighbours and the remaining third is kept by the family.

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