Millions of Muslims across the world marked Eid al-Adha on Wednesday, gathering in mosques, public squares and prayer grounds to observe one of the most important days in the Islamic calendar.
From Europe and Central Asia to the Middle East and Africa, worshippers came together in the early hours of the morning for Eid prayers before spending time with family, exchanging greetings and preparing meals to share with relatives, neighbours and those in need.
The holiday commemorates the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah before a ram was divinely provided in his place. Muslims traditionally mark the occasion through prayer, charity and the sacrifice of animals, with meat distributed among family members and poorer communities.
In Türkiye, large crowds gathered at Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and Sultan Ahmed Mosque for Eid prayers, with worshippers filling the courtyards and surrounding areas. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Eid was a time for “love, respect, unity, togetherness and solidarity,” while also expressing support for Muslims facing hardship, particularly in Gaza.
Across Europe, mosques reported large turnouts for Eid prayers. In Rome, the Grand Mosque hosted multiple prayer services because of the high attendance, while thousands also gathered in Geneva at Switzerland’s Palexpo Exhibition Centre.
In the Balkans, Muslims in Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom and North Macedonia gathered for prayers and Eid celebrations. In some cities, worshippers prayed outside mosques after venues reached capacity.
Large congregations were also seen in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Austria, where Eid sermons focused on unity, compassion and social solidarity.
In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, worshippers filled public squares and surrounding streets for communal prayers, while in Azerbaijan, large crowds gathered at mosques in Baku and the historic city of Sheki.
In Tehran, thousands gathered at Tehran University for Eid prayers, while in Afghanistan’s Laghman province and Iraq’s Duhok city, mosques and prayer grounds filled from the early morning hours as local communities marked the occasion together.
Markets in Jerusalem were crowded on the eve of Eid, with residents shopping for sweets, meat and other items traditionally associated with the holiday. In Kano, northern Nigeria, women prepared for Eid celebrations through the long-standing tradition of applying intricate henna patterns to their hands and feet.
But while many families celebrated Eid with gatherings and meals, the ongoing war in Gaza remained present in the minds of worshippers across the world.
In Khan Younis, Palestinians spent part of Eid visiting the graves of relatives killed during the war. Families gathered at cemeteries to recite prayers and remember loved ones lost in Israeli attacks.
At Gaza City’s Yarmouk Stadium, now sheltering displaced families, children spoke about how Eid celebrations had changed since the war began. Some described missing the clothes, sweets and outings that once formed part of the occasion.
According to local health authorities in Gaza, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, while large parts of the enclave’s civilian infrastructure have been destroyed.
At the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem, the Islamic Waqf Department said around 140,000 worshippers attended Eid prayers despite a heavy Israeli police presence around the Old City.
Across different countries and cultures, Eid al-Adha this year was marked by both celebration and reflection, with many Muslims using the occasion to pray not only for their families, but also for communities facing war, displacement and hardship.
