Muslims across world are celebrating Eid Al-Adha, “Festival of the Sacrifice”, the second of two globally celebrated annual Islamic holidays.
About two million Muslims from all over the world are gathering in Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The pilgrims are on Wednesday carrying out the final hajj pilgrimage rituals. Huge numbers of people converge on Mina for the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual. The ritual involves pilgrims throwing pebbles at a stone column representing the devil.
The festival honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismail (PBUH), as an act of obedience to God’s command.
Faithful Muslims slaughter sheep and goats to commemorate Prophet Abraham’s (PBUH) submission to divine order to sacrifice his son.
Just before sacrificing his son, God provided Prophet Abraham with a ram to sacrifice instead after he successfully passed the test of subservience to the Almighty.
Source: Agencies
