Millions celebrate Eid al-Adha around the world

-Eid al-Adha or Feast of Sacrifice is one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar

CHICAGO – Muslims around the world celebrated the Eid-al-Adha which marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Eid al-Adha or Feast of Sacrifice is one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar.

It is celebrated to commemorate the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God.

The belief is that God withheld his hand, spared the boy and placed a ram in his place.

On this day, wealthy Muslims sacrifice an animal and distribute the meat to neighbors, family members and the poor.

In the Afghan capital, Kabul, Taliban soldiers were seen taking security measures as Afghan Muslims gathered for Eid al-Adha prayers at a mosque in Kabul.

On the other side of the world, in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, large numbers of Muslims gathered to celebrate and pray.

Argentina has the largest Muslim community in South America.

In Mexico City, the capital of Mexico, Muslims gathered to perform Eid prayers.

In the central African country of Cameroon on the Gulf of Guinea, Muslims came in new clothes and greeted each other. 

An aerial view of a large number of Muslims performing Eid prayer in the capital city of Yaounde is breathtaking.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, large numbers of Muslims gathered in Goma, the capital of the eastern province of North Kivu.

More than a million people have fled fighting between rebels and government forces in that province. Hundreds are living in makeshift tents covered with carpets or plastic sheets to keep out the rain.

In the northwest African country of Mauritania, Muslims gathered in the capital Nouakchott to celebrate Eid and offer prayers.

Thousands of Muslims gathered early Wednesday for Eid al-Adha prayers at Pele Stadium in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.

Muslims performed Eid al-Adha prayers at the Massalikoul Djinane Mosque, the largest mosque in West Africa, in Dakar, Senegal.

In the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, most Muslims gathered at the Istiqlal Mosque to perform their prayers.

In another part of the world, Japan, the Eid al-Adha festival was celebrated with the same fervor and gaiety. In Tokyo, Muslims prayed at the Tokyo Mosque. The Muslim community in Japan, the Nihon No Muslim Shakai, gathered at the Tokyo Mosque.

In Golestan, Iran, footage shows worshippers gathering to pray together. Footage shows worshippers gathering on the first day of Eid al-Adha in the town of Gonbad-e Kavus.

In occupied Jerusalem, Palestinians gathered at Al-Aqsa Mosque and performed prayers.

In London, Muslims gathered in Highbury Park in London to greet each other and offer prayers.

Footage from Sunnah TV shows Muslims praying in the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia.

Muslims gather for Eid al-Adha prayers at the Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City, Bangsamoro, Philippines. Bangsamoro is a Muslim-majority autonomous region in the Philippines, located in the southwestern part of Mindanao Island.

Footage shows Palestinian children enjoying themselves at an amusement park in the town of Ma’arrat Misrin on the second day of Eid al-Adha in Idlib, Syria.

In war-torn Ukraine, Muslims gathered in the city of Lviv to perform Eid prayers early Wednesday.

Muslims also gathered in many places in the United States to offer prayers and greet each other.

Hundreds of American Muslims gathered early Wednesday at the Muslim Community Association in Santa Clara County, California.

Also in New Jersey, Muslims reportedly gathered to offer prayers at the Dar-ul-Islah mosque in Teaneck and at Overpeck Park – a soccer field in Leonia, New Jersey.

Muslims in Maryland also gathered for Eid prayers at the Diyanet Center of America to offer prayers and greet each other.