Muslims in The Gambia and around the world are celebrating the Eid al-Adha festival on Sunday.

The Eid celebration, or Tobaski as it is known locally, is to commemorate the end of hajj pilgrimage. Animals usually sheep and cows are slaughtered and the meat distributed to the poor and needy.

On this special day, Gambians usually visit each other’s homes for Eid greetings and go out for a variety of dining and entertainment.

As Gambian Muslims celebrate the end of Hajj, close to 2.5 million pilgrims in Saudi Arabia took part in a symbolic stoning of the devil in the final days of the hajj pilgrimage.

President Adama Barrow has declared Monday August 12 a public holiday in The Gambia in observance of the Eid festival.

A statement from State House on Thursday, said President Adama Barrow “acting under Section 76 (1) of the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia, is pleased to declare Monday, 12th August 2019 a Public Holiday throughout The Gambia in honour of the Muslim feast of Eid-al-Adha.

“On behalf of the First Family and the government, the president would like to wish the entire Muslim Ummah a joyous and blessed Eid celebration.”