Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Adha as more than 2 million pilgrims carry out the final days of Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Muslims across the world are celebrating the festival of Eid al-Adha, which coincides with the final rites of the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

While many will celebrate on Tuesday, millions of others, including in South Asia, will celebrate the start of the religious holiday the day after.

Eid al-Adha, which in Arabic literally means the “festival of the sacrifice”, commemorates the story of the Muslim Prophet Ibrahim’s test of faith.

Muslims believe Ibrahim was commanded by God him to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Tradition holds that God stayed his hand, sparing the boy, and placing a ram in his place.

The day is marked with the sacrifice of an animal, usually a goat, sheep, or cow, and the distribution of the meat among neighbours, family members, and the poor.

In the village of Mina, near the Muslim holy city of Mecca, it marks the day, millions of pilgrims perform the symbolic stoning of the devil.

The five-day-long Hajj is a series of rituals meant to cleanse the soul of sins and instill a sense of equality and brotherhood among Muslims.

The pilgrimage is required of all Muslims with the financial and physical means to perform it.

During the last three days of Hajj , male pilgrims shave their heads and remove the white cloth garments worn during the Hajj, known as the ‘ihram’. Women cut off a small lock of hair in a sign of spiritual rebirth and renewal.

Muslims offer Eid al-Adha prayers outside al-Seddik mosque in Cairo [Amr Nabil/AP]

Eid al-Adha is also known as:

Eidul Adha in the Philippines .

Eid el-Kabir in Nigeria and Morocco.

Tabaski in Senegal and Gambia.

Kurban Bayrami in Turkey.

Hari Raya Haji in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Eid-e-Qurbon in Iran.

Bakri-Id or Qurbani Eid in South Asia.

Below are some social media tweets marking the festival:

Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating! May we all draw inspiration from the values of empathy, charity and compassion that are celebrated during #EidAlAdha. — António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 20, 2018

Eid Mubarak! Sophie and I send our best wishes to Muslims in Canada and around the world as they celebrate Eid al-Adha. https://t.co/dUh9FyQYKf pic.twitter.com/nQa5WdhQ15 — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 21, 2018

May all Muslim and Arab nations around the world enjoy and celebrate #EidAlAdha with loved ones, and may it be filled with peace and blessings. Eid Mubarak! — محمد بن عبدالرحمن (@MBA_AlThani_) August 20, 2018

His Majesty King Abdullah II and HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II join the families of Fuheis and Salt martyrs in performing Eid Al Adha prayer in Aqaba #Jordan pic.twitter.com/SkLKoi8zqY — RHC (@RHCJO) August 21, 2018

#EidAlAdha

Don't forget the poor. It's truly the day of happiness and day brotherhood Muslim united to worship Almighty Allah.. Eid Mubarak from me to your family.. Eid wanagsan pic.twitter.com/6pyz3CqMgk — Farry Abdi (@AbdiFarry) August 21, 2018