Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia are starting the final rituals of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, as most Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Adha, which began on Tuesday.
On the first day of the four-day feast, people gather early in the morning for the Eid prayers in mosques.
Afterwards, many people sacrifice animals; Eid al-Adha honours prophet Ibrahim's (Abraham) willingness - as told in the Koran - to sacrifice his son, Ismail, who was spared and a sheep was sacrificed instead.
Sheep are most commonly chosen as the sacrificial animal, but other livestock like cows and goats, may also be slaughtered for sacrifice.
The sacrificial meat should be divided into three portions, according to Islamic law: One portion for the family, one for relatives and friends and the third portion to the poor.
The date of Eid al-Adha depends on the Islamic lunar calendar and the sighting of the crescent moon. While most countries celebrate on Tuesday, some countries, such as Morocco, will start celebrating on Wednesday.
Palestinians visited the compound known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City, following morning prayers marking the first day of the Eid al-Adha celebration.
The festival was also celebrated across Africa and Asia. In the Kenyan capital Nairobi thousands gathered in a field for mass prayers, the faithful also met in the Somali capital Mogadishu, and prayed at Almaty's Central Mosque in Kazakhstan.
More than 2.3 million Muslims are in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj pilgrimage, Islam's largest gathering.
On the first day of the Eid, pilgrims perform the symbolic devil-stoning ritual, where they throw 21 pebbles at three walls which symbolize the devil. The ritual takes place inside a multi-level structure known as the Jamarat Bridge in Mina, about 6 kilometres north-east of Mecca.
Afterwards, male pilgrims traditionally change out of their robes, shave their heads and slaughter a sacrificial animal. Women cut a lock of their hair.
