Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha begins

Prayer echoes from mosques throughout the Muslim world.

Worshippers gather for Eid al-Adha - the Muslim festival of sacrifice.

In Egypt's capital Cairo, tens of thousands congregate outside the Mustafa Mahmoud Mosque.

United in prayer, they murmur "God is greatest".

One man wishes peace on the Muslim world.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN MUSLIM, FAHD, SAYING:

"I hope that Allah thrives during this time of celebration. I am wishing that all our days be filled with festivals and peaceful times and that the problems of all Islamic nations will soon be solved."

In the West Bank and Gaza, worshippers also mark the beginning of the four-day feast.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas prays in Ramallah, alongside Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

And in the West Bank city of Hebron, worshippers gather at the Ibrahimi mosque.

In Gaza city, residents flock to cemeteries to visit their loved ones after morning prayers.

Eid al-Adha is one of the most important holidays in the Muslim calendar.

It includes the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca - the Haj - which is one of the five pillars of Islam.