Eid-al-Adha: What is it and how is it celebrated?

Muslims around the world celebrate Eid twice a year, and Eid al-Adha is the second of the two feasts.

It takes place just over two months after Eid al-Fitr, and is generally considered the holier of the two festivals.

Eid al-Adha starts on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is the final month of the Islamic Calendar. It takes place during Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Eid al-Adha usually lasts between three and four days. The dates of the festival change each year because the Islamic calendar is based on the moon.

Eid al-Adha, which means 'festival of sacrifice', is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar.

The festival remembers the story of the prophet Ibrahim, who was willing to obey Allah when he was asked to sacrifice his son.

Muslims believe that Allah stopped Ibrahim before the sacrifice happened and provided a sheep to sacrifice instead.

The celebration usually starts with Muslims going to the mosque for special prayers on the morning of Eid.

They dress in their best clothes and thank Allah for all the blessings they have received.

It is customary to wish each other Eid Mubarak - which means "blessed Eid."

Children receive gifts and it's also a time when they visit family and friends.

Many Muslims mark Eid al-Adha by arranging the sacrifice of an animal, such as a goat, lamb, cow or camel.

Some families carry this out themselves, while others donate money to trusted charities or organisations that will arrange the sacrifice and share the meat on their behalf.

A large share of the meat is traditionally given to people in need.

The practice is often called Qurbani, or simply Eid sacrifice.

Muslims will also give money to charity so that other Muslims who are less well off, can celebrate Eid too.

Hajj is the annual pilgrimage made by Muslims to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Every year, millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca for Hajj, which is one of the Fiver Pillars of Islam.

These are the five important acts of worship in Islam.

Muslims are expected to make the journey to Mecca at least once in their life, if they are physically able and can afford to do so.

Hajj takes places during Dhu'al-Hijjah, which is the final month of the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Adha also takes place during this month.

You can find out more about what happens during Hajj and why Muslims go on this pilgrimage here.