Religion

Palestinians mark Eid al-Adha in Gaza

Khan Younis, Jul 30 (EFE/EPA).- Palestinians in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis on Thursday night began the celebrations of Eid al-Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice, one of the holiest holidays in the Islamic calendar .The festival commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim' willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail as a sign of submission to Allah and also marks the Hajj, the yearly Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest site in Islam.To mark the date, Muslims traditionally sacrifice a sheep, goat or cow and divide the meat into three, donating one-third to family, another to friends and neighbors and a final third to the poor and needy.In Gaza City, blacksmiths were in high demand for sharpening knives and tools required for sacrificing the animals, while elsewhere in the city sheep and goats were corralled into pens to await slaughter.Eid al-Adha is also a time for celebration. Children will often wear their nicest clothes and families exchange gifts. (Camera: MOHAMMED SABER). SHOT LIST: PALESTINIANS LIGHT FIREWORKS TO CELEBRATE EID AL-ADHA IN KHAN YOUNIS TOWN, SOUTHERN GAZA STRIP.