- Title: MIDDLE EAST: Palestinian Muslims prepare to celebrate Eid El Adha
- Date: 27th November 2009
- Summary: MAN BAGGING BANANAS SWEETS STAND MORE OF MARKET
- Embargoed: 12th December 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Religion
- Reuters ID: LVA6SVZQGUET6XAQLS0T4KJ1FDP7
- Story Text: Muslims throughout the Palestinian territories took to the streets and market places on Thursday (November 26) in preparation for the four-day holiday of Eid Al Adha which is due to start on Friday (November 27).
The market place in Gaza City was crowded with residents shopping for candy, fruits, nuts and vegetable and clothes, despite the poverty in the Hamas-rulled coastal territory.
In Gaza's zoo, known as the 'Marah Land' which homes 'Fake Zebras' -- white donkeys dyed to look like zebras -- workers were preparing the park and zoo for hundreds of children and family members who were expected to visit the site during the holiday season.
The zoo has turned two of its white donkeys into 'zebras' by dying them with black strips, which were renewed as part of the preparations ahead of the holiday.
In the West Bank city of Ramallah, residents flocked the streets for last minute shopping. Fresh sweets were being made and street merchant stands were visibly increased in numbers as many come from neighbouring villages to sell their goods ahead of Eid.
At the city of Hebron, home of the Ibraheemi Mosque which is sacred to both Muslims and Jews, Palestinians' last minute shopping was not deterred by an incident of violence reported on the outskirts of the city.
A Palestinian stabbed and injured two women outside a Jewish settlement near Hebron before being himself shot and wounded, Israel Radio said.
Regardless of the incident, the creative cries of the merchants in the streets of the old city of Hebron continued to rain louder than the violence of the outskirts, as Palestinian Muslims were preparing for the first day of Eid at which they sacrifice and share with the pour.
Eid Al Adha -- the feast of sacrifice -- is one of the most important holidays in the Muslim Calendar. It includes the pilgrimage to holy city of Mecca, known as "Hajj", which is one of the five pillars of Islam, and supposed to be undertaken by every Muslim who can afford to do so. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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