Muslims mark start of Eid al-Adha holiday

Muslims worldwide are celebrating the first day of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of Sacrifice,” the most important Islamic holiday that commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim — also known as Abraham to Christians and Jews — to sacrifice his son before God stayed his hand.

During the holiday, which ends Thursday, Muslims slaughter livestock, distributing part of the meat to the poor. The holiday begins on the 10th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, during the hajj pilgrimage.

In Saudi Arabia, close to 2 million pilgrims performed Monday one of the final rites of the hajj by symbolically stoning the devil.

Here is a series of images by Associated Press photojournalists of the celebrations of Eid al-Adha.