Muslims across the Middle East, North Africa mark first day of Eid al-Adha

Muslims across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) marked the first day of Eid al-Adha on Wednesday (May 27).  

In Jerusalem, Syria, Egypt, Libya and Iraq, people performed the morning prayers and later gathered with their family and friends around mosques, with some handing out sweets and others carrying balloons.  

Eid al-Adha, one of Islam's two main festivals, marks the climax of the annual hajj pilgrimage, when Muslims slaughter animals - to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim, or Abraham, to sacrifice his son on God’s command - often distributing meat to the poor.

Production: Sinan Abu Mayzer, Firas Makdesi, Kinda Makieh, Sayed Sheashaa, Ayman Sahely, Mariam Rizk, Alaa Marjani, Khaled Al-Mousily, Ahmed Saeed, Abir Al Ahmar/Reuters