Last Friday the Muslim community in Athens was given space to gather for Eid al-Adha, also known as the Greater Eid or the Festival of Sacrifice.

Athens, a city of nearly four million, does not have a formal mosque and so as in previous years, as confirmed by Greece’s Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs, spaces were allocated for this purpose.

The two spaces provided were the Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF) on Faliro, in Athens’ southern coast, and the Olympic Stadium (OAKA) in the northern suburb of Marousi.

Eid al-Adha is a significant festival on the Islamic calendar which commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail on God’s command.

It marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage, the celebration of holy pilgrimage to Mecca and is celebrated with visits to family and friends and a shared meal.