Updated

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 three-day holiday, 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 annual hajj pilgrimage.

In Saudi Arabia, close to 2 million pilgrims performed on 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.

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