A total of 180,000 Muslims took part in Eid al-Adha celebrations, or Kurban Bayram as it is known in Russia, according to the Russian Council of Muftis. Some 95,000 gathered at Moscow's Cathedral Mosque. The celebration began at 6:30am local time (03:30 GMT) and lasted around four hours. The service at Moscow Cathedral Mosque, one of the biggest in Europe, was traditionally carried out by Russian Grand Mufti Rawil Gaynetdin. He addressed the congregation with a call on the faithful to show mercy to one another and comfort those who need help. He also urged those who commit terrorist acts “under the guise of Islam” to repent.“Under the guise of our religion, terrorists sow enmity and hatred, shedding innocent blood. We angrily condemn all crimes against people, their rights and liberties, and call on [Islamists] to repent immediately,” Grand Mufti said.
