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Captivating Images As Muslims Pray To Celebrate Eid al-Adha

Prayer mats lined the streets of Western Sydney.
Streets were closed off as thousands prayed together.
AFP/Getty Images
Streets were closed off as thousands prayed together.

Thousands of Muslims have joined together to pray in the streets of Western Sydney in celebration of the end of Eid al-Adha.

The streets outside Lakemba Mosque were closed today as between 20-30,000 Muslims took to the streets in prayer, coinciding with the end of the annual pilgrimage of Mecca.

Eid al-Adha -- also known as 'The Festival of Sacrifice' -- is a Muslim festival celebrating Ibrahim's (Abraham's) willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac in God's name. As Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, God intervened and gave him a sheep to kill instead.

Muslims also distribute halal meat amongst friends, family and people in need as an additional component to the religious celebration.

The holy festival brought a beautiful scene to Sydney as men and women stood on prayer mats, playing their own part in the religious celebration.

AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

Men and women were together before and after the prayer time, but separated to pray as shown in these captivating images.

Thousands of participants also took to the nearby rugby grounds to say their prayers.

AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images
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