Photo Galleries

11/27/2009 - Young people of widely diverse nationalities gathered with their families at the Eid Al-Adha festival celebration Friday morning. Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

11/27/2009 - A man sits quietly as Imam's praise God prior to the start of the Salah prayer at the Eid Al-Adha festival celebration Friday morning. Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

11/27/2009 - Imam Jawwad-Ur-Rehman leads the Salah prayer at the Eid Al-Adha festival celebration Friday morning. Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

11/27/2009 - Faithful Muslims kneel and touch their foreheads to the ground during the Salah prayer at the Eid Al-Adha festival celebration Friday morning. Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

11/27/2009 - Inayat von Briesen (left, blue) and his sons Yaseen (his left) and Mohammad (taller, white shirt) and family friend Abdul Malik Shabazz (between the other two boys) take part in the Salah prayer at the Eid Al-Adha festival celebration Friday morning. Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

11/27/2009 - Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

11/27/2009 - A young boy waits quietly while his father takes part in the Salah prayer at the Eid Al-Adha festival celebration Friday morning. Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

11/27/2009 - Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

11/27/2009 - When the prayers end the fun begins, as children are given candy and balloons at the Eid Al-Adha festival celebration Friday morning. Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

11/27/2009 - When the prayers end the fun begins, as children are given candy and balloons at the Eid Al-Adha festival celebration Friday morning. Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

11/27/2009 - Wildan Djojomatono (4) shows off his bag of candy while his father Rony Djojomatono (left, off camera) ties balloons to his wrist and that of his little brother Rayyan (2) during the Eid Al-Adha festival celebration Friday morning. Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

11/27/2009 - 6 month old Jude Bianouni does what most children do during religious services, falling soundly asleep, unfazed by frequent caresses at the Eid Al-Adha celebration. Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

11/27/2009 - Humam Bianouni (CQ) holds his 6 month old son Jude Bianouni (CQ), who fell fast asleep during the Eid Al-Adha celebration. Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com

11/27/2009 - Boys and balloons run wildly while their fathers converse after the Eid Al-Adha festival celebration Friday morning. Thousands of Muslims converged on The Park (formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart) on Friday to celebrate Eid Al-Adha - "the Celebration of Sacrifice." The festival celebrates one of two major holidays in the Muslim community. JEFF WILLHELM - jwillhelm@charlotteobserver.com