Published On 27 May 202627 May 2026Mogadishu, Somalia- Muslims around the world celebrated Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage period.It is the second major holiday in the Islamic calendar after Eid al-Fitr, which follows the holy month of Ramadan.In Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, families and communities gathered across the city on Wednesday to celebrate the occasion.The holiday is typically marked by communal prayers in the morning, family visits, festive meals and outings for children.Popular locations for the city’s residents include Lido Beach, the Darus Salam Zoo, and Maka al-Mukarama Road, the central business district.More broadly, Mogadishu has been tentatively emerging from the waves of violence that have rocked the city over recent decades.Since 2006, the government has been battling al-Shabab, a local affiliate of al-Qaeda, for control of the country – a conflict that has made Mogadishu one of the world’s most dangerous capitals.But improving security has led to a surge of investment in the city, alongside the emergence of new cafes, restaurants and other recreational spaces.At an Eid speech at the Islamic Solidarity Mosque, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said, “We see the change that has happened in Mogadishu’s security,” and called on the public to protect the city’s peace. Ali Jimale Mosque, the country’s largest, usually draws the biggest crowds and serves as a gathering place for the city’s residents.Central to Eid al-Adha is the ritual sacrifice of livestock, commemorating the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son before God provided a ram in his place. Advertisement The meat is traditionally shared among relatives …
