MAKKAH, 23 February — Millions of Muslims across the Kingdom yesterday started celebrating the Eid Al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, by performing special prayers, sacrificing animals, exchanging warm greetings and visiting relatives and friends.

Eid prayers were held at mosques and open grounds throughout the country. The Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah witnessed the largest crowds of faithful who had thronged the mosques since early hours to take part in the prayers.

Sheikh Saud Al-Shuraim, the imam and khateeb of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, led prayers at the mosque. In his sermon, the imam highlighted the role of Haj in promoting unity and equality among the Muslim community.

Sheikh Saud said non-believers in general did not practice what they preach. “By human rights they mean to fully open up the door of freedom and by promoting this concept they are destroying moral values and spreading chaos... and they brand those who oppose their views as violators of human rights,” he explained.

At the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, Sheikh Ali Al-Hodaify, the imam, led the Eid prayers. In his address, Sheikh Ali called upon Muslims to stand united under the banner of Islam. “The Eid is one of the great rites of Islam,” the imam said and urged the faithful to engage in righteous deeds that are likened by God to win His pleasure.

Citizens and residents of Riyadh performed Eid Al-Adha prayers on 20 Eid grounds and 322 mosques under a cold spell yesterday morning.

Riyadh Governor Prince Salman, members of the royal family, high-ranking government and military officials joined the congregation at the old Eid ground in Dira. The prayers were led by Sheikh Abdulmohsen ibn Ibrahim Al-Sheikh who in his sermon stressed the importance of piety and adhering to the teachings of the Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet. He also called upon the faithful to follow the Shariah and maintain good relations with their kith and kin in the interest of a bright future in this world and the Hereafter.

Prince Salman felicitated the princes and other dignitaries at a reception at the governorate. Groups of citizens also extended Eid greetings to Prince Salman. Later, the governor inspected a guard of honor at Qasr Al-Hukm.

Governor Prince Muham-mad ibn Fahd and his deputy Prince Saud ibn Naif joined hundreds of thousands celebrating the Eid in the Eastern Province.

Eid prayers were offered early morning, immediately after sunrise, in several mosques and special Eid prayer sites in Dammam, Alkhobar, Bayuoni, Thuqba, Jubail, Al-Hasa, Khafji, Qatif and Sihat. Imams in their sermons prayed for peace and prosperity for the Muslim Ummah and liberation of Al-Quds.

Both the princes accompanied by members of the royal family and top ranking officials offered Eid prayers at a special prayer grounds in Dammam. Later they received top ranking officials from the armed forces and chiefs of various government departments at the governorate. Senior citizens and businessmen also visited the two princes on the occasion.

In Jeddah, Eid prayers were held in different parts of the city. Dr. Hasan ibn Ahmad Al-Ghazali of the College of Teachers led the prayers at the Old Airport grounds, the main congregation in the city. In his Eid sermon, Gazzali urged the faithful to do good to the parents and show benevolence to the poor and orphans.

In Jizan, the main Eid prayer was held at the Princess Seetah Mosque in the Corniche District. Sheikh Ali Al-Amiry, who led the prayer, advised Muslims to establish brotherly relations among one another and shun hatred and envy.

Asir Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal attended prayers held in Abha while Qasim Governor Prince Faisal ibn Bandar joined the prayers held in Buraidah.

In Najran, Governor Prince Mishaal ibn Saud took part in the Eid prayers held at the King Fahd Mosque in the heart of the city.

A familiar sight on the roads and the residential areas yesterday was pick-up vans carrying sacrificial goats.

After the Eid prayers, people thronged the slaughterhouses in Dammam and Thuqba to offer animal sacrifice. Despite elaborate arrangements made by the municipality, there was complete confusion at the slaughterhouse. Police have to intervene to restore order.

Civic officials have banned slaughtering of animals at private locations. However, many people, mainly expatriates, tired of confusion at the slaughterhouse, offered their sacrifice at small butcheries.

During the day, most residents remained indoors and celebrated Eid with their families. However, in the evening every road led to the beaches and amusement centers. Half Moon Bay in Alkhobar was the center of attraction for residents as well as tourists arriving here from nearby cities as well as Bahrain and Kuwait.

Marjan Island near Dammam Corniche was another concentration point for Eid revelers. Most of the shops remained closed in Dammam and Alkhobar.

Preparations for Eid festivities peaked Thursday night when supermarkets, textile centers and sweetmeat shops were jammed with customers. Hypermarkets reported brisk sales of readymade dresses, shoes, perfumes, toys, picnic needs and confectionery items.

— Javid Hassan,Saeed Haider & P.K. Abdul Ghafour