Millions of Muslims across the globe have celebrated Eid al-Adha, one of the biggest holidays of the Islamic calendar, which coincides with the final rites of the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
In some countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and the Central Asian states, Eid al-Adha was observed on July 9. But in other parts of the globe, including Pakistan and Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, the holiday was observed on July 10.
Many Muslims celebrate the four-day feast by ritually slaughtering livestock and distributing the meat among relatives, neighbors, and the poor.
Known as the Feast of Sacrifice, it's a joyous occasion of which food is a hallmark. But as Russia's war in Ukraine sends food prices soaring across the world, many people said they couldn't afford the livestock for the ritual sacrifice.
In Afghanistan, there is normally a shopping rush for animals ahead of Eid al-Adha. But this year, the global food-price hikes and economic devastation since the Taliban takeover have put it beyond the reach of many Afghans.
In eastern Ukraine, dozens of Ukrainian Muslims gathered on July 9 to observe Eid al-Adha at the mosque in Kostyantynivka, the last remaining operational mosque in Ukrainian-controlled territory in the Donbas region.
The congregation was mostly made up of soldiers or combat medics from different units: Crimean Tatars and Ukrainian converts from Kharkiv, Kyiv, and western Ukraine.
Only a few local residents were present, as the war has forced many to flee to western regions of the country.
Muslims make up almost 1 percent of the population in Ukraine, which is predominantly Orthodox Christian.
In his sermon following the traditional Eid prayers at the mosque in Kostyantynivk, mufti Said Ismahilov asked the congregation to remember Muslims living in occupied territories, where many have lost their homes and where several mosques have been destroyed by shelling.
Ismahilov said Muslims in occupied territories do not feel safe.
“There is a lot of fear," he said. "The war continues and we have no idea what is happening in the occupied territories and what situation Muslims are in there.”
Nearly 1 million Muslims from around the world arrived this week in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the largest pilgrimage since the COVID-19 pandemic upended the event.
On July 9, pilgrims carried out the symbolic stoning of the devil. It's among the set of rituals associated with the Prophet Muhammad and the prophets Ibrahim and Ismail, or Abraham and Ishmael in the Bible, performed during the pilgrimage every year.
All Muslims who are physically and financially able to complete the spiritual journey, are required to do the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in their lives.