Muslims from all walks of life are set to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha 'Feast of the Sacrifice'.
From the wee hours of the morning, Muslims will be seen heading to mosques for prayers and celebrations.
Eid-ul-Adha is the second largest of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam after Eid-ul-Fitr.
The day honours the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice one of his sons, either Ishmael (Ismail) or Isaac (Ishaq).
However, before Abraham could sacrifice his son in the name of God, and because of his willingness to do so, God provided him with a lamb to sacrifice in his son's place.
In commemoration of this intervention, animals are ritually sacrificed.
Part of their meat is consumed by the family that offers the animal, while the rest of the meat is distributed to the poor and the needy.
Sweets and gifts are given and extended family members typically visit and are welcomed.
In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid-ul-Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijja and lasts for four days.
Muslims gather to offer Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the mosque and prayers are performed any time after the sun completely rises up to just before the entering of Zuhr time, on the tenth of Dhu al-Hijja.
This year Eid-ul-Adha will run from June 6, to June 9, 2025.
However, the days vary according to moon sightings in different parts of the world.
Millions of men, women and children converged at Mecca this week for the Hajj pilgrimage.
According to the Guardian, the Saudi Arabian government said it will be the largest crowd ever for the pilgrimage.
The most recent challenges confronting potential pilgrims have been unforeseen, drastically altering the Hajj experience.
The Covid pandemic saw pilgrimage to the holy sites halted for two years.
As pandemic restrictions slowly subsided, many Muslims in other countries who had waited with eager anticipation booked their travel plans.
The journey of Hajj often inspires hope for many, even if they hail from parts of the world besieged by war, poverty or occupation.
Many save what little money they have for years, to be able to afford it.
