From Friday until August 3, Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In Saudi Arabia, pilgrims on Friday began the ritual of stoning Satan, one of the last of the great pilgrimage, which has been drastically reduced this year to prevent any spread of the coronavirus. Under scorching heat, the pilgrims arrived in Mina, closely supervised by guides and police officers who ensured compliance with the rules of physical distancing. This year, the authorities provided sterilized pebbles to the pilgrims. In the past, they were picked up from the ground.

Muslim pilgrims symbolically throwing stones at a stoning wall, the last rite of the annual hajj and the first day of Eid al-Adha, while maintaining social distances to protect against the coronavirus in Mina near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday July 31, 2020. AP

Men also observe the last annual hajj rite and prepare to throw stones at a stoning wall and on the second day of Eid al-Adha, in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Friday July 31, 2020. The global coronavirus pandemic has cast a shadow over every aspect of this year's pilgrimage, which last year drew 2.5 million Muslims from around the world to Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Muhammad took delivered his last sermon nearly 1,400 years ago. Only a very limited number of pilgrims have been allowed to participate in the hajj amid numerous restrictions aimed at limiting the potential spread of the coronavirus. AP - Ministry of Media

As mosques are limited to ten people following government action to limit the spread of the coronavirus, Muslim worshipers recite Eid al-Adha prayers in a park in the mixed Arab Jewish town of Jaffa, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday July 31, 2020. AP - Oded Balilty

Worshipers wearing masks chain Eid al-Adha prayers while maintaining social distancing at Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo, Bosnia on Friday, July 31, 2020 © AP - Kemal Softi

Social distances are also respected by clergymen, in the Grand Mosque of Moscow in Russia on July 31, 2020 © Shamil Zhumatov, Reuters

Aerial photo of Indonesian Muslims praying at the Grand Mosque of Al-Azhar, Jakarta, Indonesia, while respecting their distances, July 31, 2020. via REUTERS - ANTARA FOTO

Another aerial view of Thai Muslims praying for Eid al-Adha at the Thai Islamic Center in Bangkok, Thailand on July 31, 2020. REUTERS - ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA

Muslim worshipers buy goats at a cattle market during celebrations to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha amid the coronavirus pandemic in Nairobi, Kenya, July 31, 2020 © Thomas Mukoya, Reuters

Men slaughter sheep on the first day of Eid al-Adha in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, July 31, 2020. During Eid al-Adha, or festival of sacrifice, it is customary for Muslims to slaughter sheep or cattle and distribute portions of meat to the poor. © AP - Rahmat Gul

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