Monday marked the celebration of Eid al-Adha, where Muslims around the world celebrate the end of the religious pilgrimage to Mecca.
In northwest Edmonton, an estimated 10,000-15,000 people attended the prayers and barbecue at the Al-Rashid Mosque to mark the occasion.
Eid al-Adha is one of two major annual celebrations for the Muslim population and is also known as the Feast of Sacrifice.
“It’s thanking Allah, our creator, for all our blessings. It’s a message of peace, friendship and family and gathering in warmth and generosity in the holiday,” Omar Najmeddine, executive director of the mosque, said.
READ MORE: What you need to know about the Muslim ‘Festival of Sacrifice’
Messages of solidarity have been expressed from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as Minster of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly, in which Canadians were invited to “learn more about this holiday, which is a great opportunity to recognize the contributions of Canada’s diverse Muslim community to our country.”
Eid al-Adha honours Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son on the order of God, but according to religious scripture, God stepped in and gave him a sheep to sacrifice instead of his son.
A similar version can be found in the Bible’s Old Testament, as well as the Torah.
According to Canada’s 2011 National Household Survey, Canada has a population of over one million Muslims, which makes up the country’s second-largest religion after Christianity.
About 46,000 Muslims live in Edmonton.
-With files from Global’s Nicole Bogart
Watch below: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke at the Ottawa Muslim Association Monday morning, praising Canada’s cultural diversity in a speech to Muslim-Canadians to mark the start of Eid al-Adha.