Eid al-Adha celebrations take place around the world

Muslims pray, hold family gatherings and sacrifice animals

Muslims around the world are celebrating one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar with prayers, family gatherings and animal sacrifices.

Eid al-Adha, which is also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice or Greater Eid, celebrates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his only son Ismail to express his devotion to Allah.

God stayed his hand, sparing his son. In the Christian and Jewish version of the story, Abraham is ordered to kill his other son, Isaac.

The five-day holiday is different from Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan and took place on 14 and 15 June this year.

Over two million Muslims have been on pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, the final days of which coincide with Eid al-Adha.

During the celebration, the day begins with prayers before family gatherings are held where gifts are exchanged.

Muslims who can afford to slaughter livestock, a practice known as Qurbani, do so and distribute the meat to friends, family and the poor.

Muslims greet each other by saying “Eid Mubarak”, or “Blessed Eid”.

The date of Greater Eid is decided by the Islamic lunar calendar and falls on the 10th day of the 12th month – in the UK this year, the festival begins on Tuesday and ends on Saturday.