An aerial view shows Muslim pilgrims gathering on Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma on Arafat Day.—AFP

In pictures: Muslims celebrate Eidul Azha around the world

Muslims around the world celebrate the holiday as two million pilgrims carry out final rites of Haj in Saudi Arabia.
Published September 1, 2017

Muslims around the world are celebrating the Eidul Azha holiday on Friday as around two million Muslim pilgrims carry out the final rites of the annual Haj in Saudi Arabia.

Muslim worshippers, some carrying umbrellas to protect them from the scorching sun, gather for prayer at Namirah mosque near Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahmah (Mount of Mercy), where the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) gave his final sermon, on August 31, 2017, ahead of the climax of Haj.—AFP
Muslim worshippers, some carrying umbrellas to protect them from the scorching sun, gather for prayer at Namirah mosque near Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahmah (Mount of Mercy), where the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) gave his final sermon, on August 31, 2017, ahead of the climax of Haj.—AFP

Pilgrims pose for a photo in front of Mount Arafat on the eve of Arafat Day.—AFP
Pilgrims pose for a photo in front of Mount Arafat on the eve of Arafat Day.—AFP

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims made their way toward a massive multi-storey complex in Mina after dawn on Friday to cast pebbles at three large columns. It is here where Muslims believe the devil tried to talk Prophet Ibrahim out of submitting to God's will.

A pilgrim looks on as he departs from Mount Arafat on the way to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and Mina.—AFP
A pilgrim looks on as he departs from Mount Arafat on the way to Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafat and Mina.—AFP

Pilgrims walk near Mount Arafat.— AFP
Pilgrims walk near Mount Arafat.— AFP

Most pilgrims will remain in Mina until Monday before completing the Haj. They will then circle the Kaaba in Makkah, Islam's most sacred site, before departing.

On this eid, Muslims slaughter livestock and distribute the meat to the poor.

A picture taken on August 31, 2017 shows Syrian sellers sitting at a stall at the Hamidiyeh popular market in the old part of the capital Damascus.—AFP
A picture taken on August 31, 2017 shows Syrian sellers sitting at a stall at the Hamidiyeh popular market in the old part of the capital Damascus.—AFP

Muslims in Philippine gather to pray during Eidul Azha in Taguig, a suburb of Manila, on September 1, 2017.—AFP
Muslims in Philippine gather to pray during Eidul Azha in Taguig, a suburb of Manila, on September 1, 2017.—AFP

Girls looks on as worshippers gather to pray during Eidul Azha in Taguig, a suburb of Manila, Philippine.—AFP
Girls looks on as worshippers gather to pray during Eidul Azha in Taguig, a suburb of Manila, Philippine.—AFP

A Palestinian girl carries balloons while celebrating at the main square in Gaza City after performing the morning prayer for Eidul Azha.—AFP
A Palestinian girl carries balloons while celebrating at the main square in Gaza City after performing the morning prayer for Eidul Azha.—AFP

Syrian children ride an attraction in the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib as Muslims across the world celebrate the annual festival of Eidul Azha.—AFP
Syrian children ride an attraction in the northwestern Syrian city of Idlib as Muslims across the world celebrate the annual festival of Eidul Azha.—AFP

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, talks to supporters following Eid prayers in Istanbul.—AP
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, talks to supporters following Eid prayers in Istanbul.—AP

Muslims believe Prophet Ibrahim's faith was tested when God commanded him to sacrifice his only son Prophet Ismail. Ibrahim was prepared to submit to the command, but then God stayed his hand, sparing his son.

Muslim devotees perform the morning Eidul Azha prayer at a mosque in the southern Iraqi city of Basra.—AFP
Muslim devotees perform the morning Eidul Azha prayer at a mosque in the southern Iraqi city of Basra.—AFP

Iraqis pose for a photo as they visit grave of a relative killed in the combat against the militant Islamic State group at the Wadi al-Salam cemetery in Najaf on the first day of the Eidul Azha.—AFP
Iraqis pose for a photo as they visit grave of a relative killed in the combat against the militant Islamic State group at the Wadi al-Salam cemetery in Najaf on the first day of the Eidul Azha.—AFP

People watch fireworks in Dubai on August 31, 2017 on the eve of Eidul Azha.—AFP
People watch fireworks in Dubai on August 31, 2017 on the eve of Eidul Azha.—AFP

An aerial view taken with a drone shows members of Russia's Muslim community praying in a street outside the Central Mosque during Eidul Azha.—AFP
An aerial view taken with a drone shows members of Russia's Muslim community praying in a street outside the Central Mosque during Eidul Azha.—AFP

A police officer stands guard outside the Moscow Cathedral Mosque during celebrations of Eidul Azha, which Muslims in Russia call Kurban-Bairam, in Moscow, Russia.—AP
A police officer stands guard outside the Moscow Cathedral Mosque during celebrations of Eidul Azha, which Muslims in Russia call Kurban-Bairam, in Moscow, Russia.—AP

This handout from the Indonesian Presidential Palace shows Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (R) handing over cattle to be sacrificed after an Eidul Azha prayer in Sukabumi, West Java province.—AFP
This handout from the Indonesian Presidential Palace shows Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (R) handing over cattle to be sacrificed after an Eidul Azha prayer in Sukabumi, West Java province.—AFP