Charlotte-area Muslims celebrate Eid Al Adha | Raleigh News & Observer

Charlotte-area Muslims gathered Saturday morning to mark Eid Al Adha.

The holiday commemorates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as a sign of obedience to God. At the last minute, God intervened and a lamb was slaughtered instead.

Eid Al Adha also celebrates the completion of Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia undertaken each year by millions of Muslims. It’s the fifth pillar of Islam and one that every able-bodied Muslim is expected to perform at least once in life.

Saturday’s gathering, which included prayers and a sermon, was at The Park, the former Merchandise Mart, off Independence Boulevard. Tim Funk