IN PICTURES: Muslims gear up for Eid al-Adha

Muslims across the world are preparing to celebrate annual festival of Eid al-Adha or the festival of sacrifice which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and commemorates prophet Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son to show obedience to God. 

Cows, camels, goats and sheep are traditionally slaughtered on this holy day.

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Merchants sell sheep two days ahead of the Muslim Eid al-Adha in Abidjan. AFP Photo

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Kuwaiti vendors wait for customers at a livestock market in Kuwait City. AFP Photo

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A Pakistani seller holds his cow at a livestock market ahead of the sacrificial Eid al-Adha festival in Quetta. AFP Photo

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An Indian livestock trader sleeps next to animals at a market ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Adha festival in the old quarters of New Delhi. AFP Photo

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An Indian livestock owner sits next to decorated goats as he counts money at a market ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Adha festival in the old quarters of New Delhi.  AFP Photo

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Iraqi Muslims buy sheep at a makeshift livestock market ahead of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf.  AFP Photo