Chinese Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha

Millions of Muslims around China celebrated Eid al-Adha on Monday, one of Islam's most important festivals.

Ma Fuxiang, a Hui Muslim in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province, took his two sons to attend prayers at a Dongguan mosque early in the morning.

"Today is Eid al-Adha, an important festival, so we had to get out early," Ma said.

"Every Eid al-Adha, at least 200,000 Muslims gather around the mosque," said Wang Shaofeng, an imam at the mosque.

After prayers, many people visited markets around the mosque, buying beef, mutton, desserts and fruit.

Eid al-Adha, or feast of the sacrifice, centers around a large feast, where Muslims slaughter lambs to share with the family. They also attend prayers and visit relatives and friends, sending best wishes.

At around 9 a.m., Zhou Shengqi, 80, in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, left the mosque in his village after prayers to return home to join the annual family celebration with 33 of his relatives.

"Eid al-Adha is one of the most important festivals for Muslims. I am so happy that most of my family have returned from the cities to break bread with me," said Zhou.

In Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Amangul feasted on delicious food with her relatives and friends in her courtyard on Monday.

"We celebrate Eid al-Adha with pilaf and milk tea today, and in three days we will celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with mooncakes," Amangul said.

Muslims enjoy a week-long holiday for the two festivals.

China has more than 20 million Muslims, mainly Uygurs, Hui, Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Tajiks and Kirgiz, living in various regions. Endi