People in North and East Syria visit cemeteries on Eid al-Adha

On the occasion of the Islamic Feast of Sacrifice, cemeteries are also visited in Northern and Eastern Syria to commemorate the dead and martyrs.

For more than 1.8 billion Muslims, the Eid al-Adha Feast of Sacrifice began today. Traditionally, on the first morning of the four-day Feast of Sacrifice, the visit to the mosque is concluded with a walk to the cemetery to commemorate the deceased relatives. Throughout North and East Syria, people have gathered in the many cemeteries to pray for their dead relatives. The Internal Security (Asayish) had taken high security precautions in advance, volunteers, fire brigade and paramedics remain standing at the cemetery entrances.

With Eid al-Adha Muslims honour the prophet Abraham, who according to tradition was ready to sacrifice his own son in trust in God. At the last moment God prevented the sacrifice and Abraham sacrificed a lamb instead. This test of Abraham is also handed down in the Bible and the Torah. Abraham is considered the progenitor of the three monotheistic religions because of his unrestricted trust in God.