Muslims buy livestock for holy day

Muslims in Bangladesh go to market to buy livestock to slaughter for the approaching holy Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.

Bangladeshi Muslims flock to livestock markets ahead of Eid al-Adha -- one of Islam's holiest holidays.

Here in the capital Dhaka, thousands of animals are on the blocks.

Eid al-Adha -- the festival of sacrifice -- commemorates the willingness of Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his own son.

All who can afford it take part.

(SOUNDBITE) (Bengali) MUSLIM, DELWAR HOSSAIN, SAYING:

"I have come here to this cattle market to buy a cow to sacrifice in the name of Allah. During the holy Eid al-Adha festival we Muslim always sacrifice livestock. I have also decided to come here for the sacrifice."

Animals including cows, goats, camels, and sheep are slaughtered each year to mark the festival.

The meat is then distributed -- one third to family, one third to friends, and one third to the poor.

Bangladesh, with a population of 140 million, has the third-largest Muslim majority population in the world.

(Reuters)