Afghanistan marks largest religious festival

The Afghans marked Eid al-Adha, the biggest religious festival, by attending prayers and butchering cattle or sheep throughout the country on Thursday.

In the morning the Afghans, like other Muslims, offered the Eid prayers in big mosques amid tight security. Following the prayers, the believers subsequently joined the sacrificing of animals and distributing the meat to the poor families.

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani took part in Eid prayers, which were held in a mosque inside Arg, the country's Presidential Palace earlier on Thursday.

"I congratulate Eid al-Adha to all my fellow Afghans and Muslims around the world. I hope this Eid will mark the beginning of peace and prosperity in Afghanistan," the Afghan leader said after offering the prayer.

Eid al-Adha, also known as festival of sacrifice, is celebrated worldwide on the 10th day of Duhl Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic year.

Like most Islamic countries, Afghanistan celebrated the festival with four days of holiday beginning from Wednesday.

Muslims wear new clothes on this festival and greet relatives and friends to boost cordial relations. Pocket money and presents are given to children on this occasion.

To ensure security during the festival, thousands of security forces have been deployed across the country to check subversive incidents. Endi