Festivities continue as Pakistanis mark Eid Al-Adha for third and final day

A father holds up his daughter while waiting for her turn to ride on a swing, on the second day of Eid Al-Adha celebrations, in Karachi, Pakistan June 18, 2024. (REUTERS)

• People continue to visit relatives to convey Eid greetings and share elaborate meals
• Recreational spots and beaches witness rush as Pakistanis celebrate final day of Eid

ISLAMABAD: People in Pakistan and other countries on Wednesday continued sacrificing animals and taking part in festivities as they marked the third day and final day of Eid Al-Adha.
Muslims celebrate three-day Eid Al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice, by slaughtering animals such as cattle and goats and sharing their meat among family and friends and the poor. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, on God’s command.
In Pakistan, Eid Al-Adha, one of the two most important festivals on the Islamic calendar, began on Monday with special prayers for the well-being of the Muslim world, particularly Palestine and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed Eid greetings to countrymen and several other leaders of the Muslim world as his government announced a three-day holiday on the joyous occasion.
On Wednesday, Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and conveyed warm greetings to him on the blessed occasion.
“The two leaders extended best wishes and prayers for the continued progress and prosperity of the peoples of both the UAE as well as Pakistan,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
“The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s deep appreciation to His Highness for the UAE’s consistent support to Pakistan and also reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support to the UAE through thick and thin.”
The prime minister reiterated a cordial invitation to the UAE president to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience, according to Sharif’s office. In response, Sheikh Mohamed graciously conveyed his acceptance of the invitation and agreed to undertake the visit at an early date.
Pakistanis continued to visit each other on Wednesday to exchange Eid greetings and share elaborate meals to celebrate the joyous occasion.
The distribution of meat also continues among the needy, while picnic and recreational spots witnessed an unusual rush.
Over six million animals valued at approximately Rs531 billion ($1.9 billion) were sacrificed during the three-day Eid festival in 2023, according to tanners’ association. As many, if not more, animals are expected to be sacrificed this year.