Muslim Arabs prepare for Eid al-Adha

Muslims all over the world are gearing up to celebrate Eid al-Adha, also known as the festival of sacrifice, with family and friends on Sunday.

In the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, families hit the shops to buy clothes for their children, while the local fairground was being readied to welcome the next few days of fun for families.

While Sunnis celebrate Eid on Sunday, Shiite Iraqis will observe the holiday on Monday.

Meanwhile, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, shoppers flocked to the markets to purchase sweet treats and nuts to offer to visiting friends and relatives, while residents of the Gaza Strip, browsed for potential sheep to slaughter, an important ritual during Eid al-Adha.

The tradition of sacrificing an animal during this holiday commemorates the time when God ordered Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son Ismael but changed the order at the last minute to a sheep instead.

Libyans have another reason to celebrate, following the death of former leader Muammer Qaddafi, as they mark the first Eid free of his rule.

They too were shopping for sacrificial animals ahead of the holidays, despite the high costs.

"Look at this shop selling sheep. I think it’s too expensive for the price. A small animal costs 400 to 700 Libyan dinar (approximately $300 to $500). This is too expensive for me because my salary is around 350 dinar." (approximately $270 ) said Mustafa al-Abusefi, a customer.

Although the ritual of slaughtering a sacrificial animal during Eid is mandated to those who can afford it, many Muslims want to be able to participate in this tradition.

Speaker:

Mustafa al-Abusefi - Libyan customer