Muslims pray during the Corban Festival in Niujie Mosque in central Beijing on Tuesday.Photo: Li Hao/GT

 

Guarding the sheep to be slaughtered for the festival. Photo: Li Hao/GT

The faithful include nearby residents and travelers from afar.Photo: Li Hao/GT

 

Thousands pray ahead of the animal sacrifice later that day. Photo: Li Hao/GT

 

Bulls are slaughtered as part of the religious celebration. Photo: Li Hao/GT

Muslim girls in traditional clothes Photo: Li Hao/GT

On Tuesday, Beijing's iconic Islamic neighborhood Niujie, in Xicheng district, embraced a busy day when thousands of Muslims wearing festive outfits gathered at a main mosque and celebrated an important Islamic festival.

The Corban Festival, also known as Eid al-Adha or Feast of the Sacrifice, marks Prophet Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son to show obedience to God, according to the Koran.

It is one of three major festivals for Muslims worldwide, and features family gatherings and a feast with lamb as the main dish.

More than 12,000 Muslims live in Niujie, which has the oldest and biggest mosque in Beijing. It is an Islamic spiritual center of the capital.

The celebrations on Tuesday began in the early morning, when Muslims from both China and foreign countries gathered to pray and watch the slaughter of more than 50 sheep and bulls, donated by believers.

China has more than 20 million Muslims, who are mainly from 10 ethnic groups, including Uyghur, Hui and Kazakh.

Global Times