Eid al-Adha prayer performed at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE - JUNE 16: The Eid al-Adha prayer was performed at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul in the early hours of Sunday morning. Muslims living in Istanbul and the surrounding provinces gathered at the mosque to observe Eid al-Adha. From young to old, all Muslims filled the mosque early in the morning. Due to the large number of worshipers, the streets around the mosque were crowded with those trying to make it to the prayer on time. The congregation lined up both inside and outside the mosque. A separate section was also designated for women within the mosque complex. Eid al-Adha is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims all around the world. It is also known as the "Festival of Sacrifice". This festival commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, as a test of his faith in Allah. As the story goes, just as Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, Allah provided a ram as a substitute. To honor this event, Muslims sacrifice an animal during Eid al-Adha and share the meat with family, friends, and the less fortunate. It is a time of generosity, forgiveness, and unity, and is a reminder of the importance of faith and sacrifice in Islam. (Footage by Cemaleddin Turan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)