KABUL, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Afghans marked Eid al-Adha, one of the biggest religious festivals, by attending prayers and visiting relatives throughout the country on Friday.
They offered prayers in big mosques amid tight security Friday morning.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani took part in Eid prayers together with senior officials and cabinet members in a mosque in the Presidential Palace earlier on Friday.
"I congratulate Eid al-Adha to all my fellow Afghans and Muslims around the world too," Ghani said after offering the prayer, broadcast live by the state-run TV.
In his short speech, the Afghan leader said: "Let's also honor the sacrifices of our brave security forces and keep them in our prayers."
Following the prayers, the believers joined the sacrificing of animals and distributing the meat to poor families.
The annual festival, known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is observed in the Islamic world from Thursday (Aug. 31) until Sunday (Sept. 3) this year.
Muslims wear new clothes on Eid days and greet relatives and friends to boost cordial relations. Pocket money and gifts are given to children on this occasion.
To ensure security during the festival, thousands of security forces have been deployed across the country to check subversive incidents.
