Eid al-Adha

VIDEO: Animals slaughtered to distribute amongst poor

The sacrificial animals were donations from local people. They were to be slaughtered and distributed to the needy.

UK Ambassador Moazzam Malik was among the contributors.

Sujasman, an official at Sunda Kelapa Mosque said that the number of animals slaughtered was much reduced compared to last year.

He said that this was because of an economic slowdown.

Soldiers leave capital, Burkina Faso returns to calm

Residents lined up at gas stations and money machines Thursday. Many went early to buy sheep at the market for slaughter in celebration of Eid al-Adha, known here as Tabaski, one of Islam's most important holidays.

During prayers, Muslim leader Aboubakar Sana called for peace and dialogue that will lead to free and fair elections. October elections were postponed in the wake of the coup, and have not yet been officially rescheduled.

Saudi Arabia: Stampede at hajj kills 717 pilgrims

At least 863 pilgrims were injured in the crush, said the Saudi civil defense directorate, which provided the death toll. The tragedy struck as Muslims around the world marked the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday.

It was the second major disaster during this year's hajj season, raising questions about the adequacy of measures put in place by Saudi authorities to ensure the safety of the roughly 2 million Muslims taking part. A crane collapse in Mecca nearly two weeks earlier left 111 people dead.