Muslim worshipers around the world gather at mosques to mark the beginning of the four-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha on Friday. Eid is being celebrated in United States, European and Gulf countries today with local Muslims preferring to celebrate Eid with local Masajid (Mosques), communities and Islamic centers.
Nearly 3 million Muslims gathers at Makkah during these days. Following the symbolic stoning of the devil, Muslim pilgrims also perform the ritual of sacrificing sheep and cattle, marking the first day of Eid al-Adha.
Eid Al-Adha commemorates the tradition of Prophet Abraham and Muslims around the world sacrifice an animal and share it with those in need to mark this day.
Muslims worldwide traditionally slaughter a four legged animal in commemoration. The meat is then distributed amongst the family and neighbors as well as the poor and needy.
But before the slaughter, men, women and children alike flock to mosques around the country to take part in the prayers.
In the West Bank city of Ramallah, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hosted officials for holiday prayers at the presidential compound and later laid a wreath on the grave of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.
With Al-Arabiya inputs