Eid al-Adha celebrations around the world

The Muslim festival Eid al-Adha - which means "feast of the sacrifice" - began on Sunday evening and is marked by special prayers and feasts.

News imageEPA Indian children play with orange balloonsEPA
Indian children play after Eid al-Adha prayers at the Jama Masjid mosque in New Delhi, India

Each year Muslims gather for the occasion that commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son on the command of God. Ibrahim was eventually given a lamb to sacrifice instead.

Eid al-Adha usually begins on the last day of the Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

It is the second Islamic festival of the year, and follows Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

Here is a selection of pictures of celebrations from around the world on Monday.

News imageAFP A woman praysAFP
A woman prays at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan
News imageAFP Butchers prepare to slaughter a cowAFP
Butchers prepare to slaughter a cow during the Eid al-Adha festival in Karachi, Pakistan
News imageAFP Prayers at the Badshahi Mosque in LahoreAFP
People gather for Eid al-Adha prayers at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan
News imageEPA Muslims attend Eid al-Adha prayersEPA
Worshippers pray at the National Mosque of Baitul Mukarram in Dhaka, Bangladesh
News imageAFP Muslims walk down a street as part of a special prayerAFP
Muslims participate in a special prayer in Kolkata, India
News imageAFP A child looks on as women offer Eid al-Adha prayersAFP
A child looks on as women offer Eid al-Adha prayers in Chennai, India
News imageGetty Images Prayers are offered in KolkataGetty Images
Prayers are offered in Kolkata, India
News imageGetty Images A herbal eye-liner is applied to the eyes of a MuslimGetty Images
A herbal eye-liner, called surma, is applied to a worshipper at Kashmiri Jame Mosque in Kathmandu, Nepal
News imageAFP Prayers are offered at Kashmiri MosqueAFP
Prayers are offered at the same mosque
News imageAFP Muslim women offer prayersAFP
Muslim women pray in Colombo, Sri Lanka
News imageBBC Presentational white space
News imageGetty Images A mans hands out a bag of sacrificial animal meatGetty Images
A Turkish aid agency hands out sacrificial animal meat in Nairobi
News imageGetty Images Balloons are handed outGetty Images
Balloons are handed out at the Ar-Rahma Mosque in Kiev, Ukraine

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