Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice, is being observed with deep devotion across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and other Gulf nations on Sunday, marked by large congregational prayers and sacred rituals.

Thousands gathered at Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah for morning Eid prayers, with Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly leading the sermon and prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah.

Similar scenes unfolded across the region, with worshippers flocking to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, as well as mosques in Lebanon and Egypt, where prayers were followed by the traditional animal sacrifice, a key ritual of Eid-ul-Azha. 

In Damascus, interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa joined a significant gathering at the Grand Mosque, underscoring the festival’s communal spirit.

In Saudi Arabia, pilgrims transitioned from Muzdalifah to Mina to perform Rami, the symbolic stoning of the devil, followed by animal sacrifices and the shaving of heads. 

They then shed their Ihram attire to undertake Tawaf al-Ziyarah and Sa’i in Makkah, completing core Hajj rituals.

The celebration extended beyond the Middle East, with some Muslim communities in Europe and North America observing Eid-ul-Azha on Sunday, while others will mark it on Monday, leading to varied observances this year. 

In the UAE, cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah hosted prayers in mosques and designated open grounds, drawing large crowds.

In Pakistan, the Bohra community also celebrated Eid-ul-Azha on Sunday, with prayers held in Karachi at locations including Saddar, Pakistan Chowk, Hyderi, and Baloch Colony, reflecting the festival’s universal reverence.

The global observance of Eid-ul-Azha highlights its significance as a time of spiritual reflection, charity, and unity, with millions participating in rituals that honor the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim’s sacrifice. 

From the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah to communities worldwide, the festival fosters a shared sense of faith and devotion.

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