Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha as May and Welby issue warm messages

Muslims around the world today celebrated the Eid al-Adha holiday, one of the two most important festivals of the Islamic calendar.

Marking the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son on God's command, Muslims mark the holiday by slaughtering animals such as sheep and goats. The meat is shared among family and friends and also donated to the poor.

The Muslim faithful across continents marked the festival which comes as the annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia draws to a close.

In Jerusalem's Old City, Palestinians flocked to the al-Aqsa mosque for prayers.

In Iraq, authorities adopted tough security measures during the festival, searching worshippers as they entered Abdul-Qadir al-Gilani mosque in Baghdad.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad prayed at a mosque in the Damascus suburb of Daraya, which was evacuated by rebels and surrendered to government control last month, state media reported.

In Asia, tens of thousands of people left Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on crowded trains and ferries for their home-towns to celebrate the holiday with family and friends, while in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, Muslims attended morning prayers.

The festival was also celebrated across Africa, with the faithful in countries such as Somalia and Kenya attending mass prayers.

In Russia, thousands of Muslims gathered for prayers in Moscow.

In the UK, Prime Minister Theresa May released a video message to the country's Muslim community. "I am proud of the contribution British Muslims make to this country and proud that Britain is home to people from vibrant and diverse backgrounds," she said.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby tweeted his good wishes:

Additional reporting by Reuters.

News
Who was St Margaret of Scotland and why is she important?
Who was St Margaret of Scotland and why is she important?

16 November is the day when people remember St Margaret of Scotland. She was born in Hungary and became Queen of Scotland, where she restored the religious life of the country. This is her story …

What is really preventing peace between Israel and the Palestinians?
What is really preventing peace between Israel and the Palestinians?

There is a major roadblock on the way to peace but it's not what many of our church leaders think it is.

Scottish government urged to reject 'extreme' abortion up to birth proposals
Scottish government urged to reject 'extreme' abortion up to birth proposals

Christian and pro-life groups are calling on the Scottish government to reject "extreme" proposals to allow abortion up to birth.

Charity Commission tells Archbishops’ Council it 'must rapidly accelerate' safeguarding reforms
Charity Commission tells Archbishops’ Council it 'must rapidly accelerate' safeguarding reforms

The Church of England is not moving fast enough to implement promised safeguarding improvements, the Charity Commission has said.