Thousands of UAE worshippers perform Eid Al Adha 2023 prayers

Muslims across the Emirates heralded the start of the religious festival

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  Eid Al Adha morning prayers are held at the Zayed the Second Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  Worshippers arrive at the mosque in the UAE capital. Victor Besa / The National

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  Muslims pray on the first morning of the festival. Victor Besa / The National

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  Young worshippers at morning Eid Al Adha prayers. Victor Besa / The National

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  Worshippers from across generations gathered for the prayers. Victor Besa / The National

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  Morning prayers at the Zayed the Second Mosque. Victor Besa / The National

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  A family gathers outside the mosque after the morning prayers. Victor Besa / The National

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  Children meet after the prayers. Victor Besa / The National

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  Friends and relatives greet each other after morning Eid Al Adha prayers. Victor Besa / The National

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  Friends and relatives embrace following the prayers. Victor Besa / The National

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  A family in Abu Dhabi after morning prayers. Victor Besa / The National

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  Different generations took part in the morning prayers. Victor Besa / The National

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  Two sisters outside the Zayed the Second Mosque. Victor Besa / The National

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  Families attended the Eid Al Adha morning prayers. Victor Besa / The National

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  Children distribute treats after the prayers. Victor Besa / The National

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  Family members gather at the Zayed the Second Mosque. Victor Besa / The National

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  Worshippers attend Eid Al Adha prayers at Nad Al Hammar Eid Musalla in Dubai. EPA

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  Worshippers greet each other after offering prayers. EPA

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  Morning prayers at Nad Al Hammar Eid Musalla. EPA

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  Emirati cleric Aref Sheikh leads the Eid Al Adha prayers at the site. EPA

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  Worshippers greet each other after the prayers on the first day of Eid. EPA

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  Prayers at Nad Al Hammar Eid Musalla. EPA

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  Worshippers arrive at Nad Al Hammar Eid Musalla. EPA

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Thousands of worshippers flocked to mosques across the Emirates on Wednesday to perform prayers on the first morning of Eid Al Adha.

Family and friends came together to mark the start of one of the most important dates in the Islamic calendar.

This year's festivities will be celebrated with particular joy, being the first since 2019 to be held without Covid-19 restrictions.

During Eid Al Adha last year, the wearing of masks remained mandatory indoors, while crowd management measures were in place.

Eid Al Adha – which means the “festival of the sacrifice” – takes place during Dhu Al Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar.

Dhu Al Hijjah is considered one of the four sacred months for Muslims, called Al Ash-hur Al Hurom.

Eid Al Adha is a time for family and friends to come together and show generosity and goodwill to others.

President Sheikh Mohamed exchanged Eid Al Adha greetings on Tuesday during phone conversations with leaders of countries in the region.

During the calls, Sheikh Mohamed shared best wishes with Sultan Haitham of Oman, King Hamad of Bahrain and Jordan's King Abdullah II.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, extended his Eid greetings on Twitter to all those celebrating in the UAE and other Arab and Muslim nations.

“All Muslims at Arafat stand united in prayers and thoughts, asking God for mercy, forgiveness and heaven,” he said, marking the Day of Arafah.

“We ask God to accept their prayers and supplications, and to unite their hearts always and forever with feelings of love and peace.”

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, also shared his good wishes for Eid on the eve of the occasion.

“We congratulate our wise leadership, our dear people and the Arab and Islamic nation on the advent of the blessed Eid Al Adha and may you be blessed with its returns,” Sheikh Hamdan said on Twitter.