Graphic photos shows dozens of cows beheaded in mass sacrifice at Indonesian mosque for Muslim holiday of Eid
Muslims traditionally kill animals such as cows, sheep and goats as part of Eid Al-Adha which means "festival of the sacrifice"
THOUSANDS of Muslims around the world were out in force today to sacrifice livestock to mark one of their most sacred festivals.
Graphic photos shows the ceremonial killings of cows at a mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, as part of Eid Al-Adha which means "festival of the sacrifice" - one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar.
Kids can be seen taking part and witnessing the ritual killing by the halal method - which are rules of slaughter based on Islamic law.
A Muslim butcher must perform the act and an animal's throat must be cut by a sharp knife - severing the carotid artery, jugular vein and windpipe in a single swipe.
Then blood must be drained out of the carcass.
Snaps shows cattle blood splattered everywhere inside the religious building - with youngsters unfazed by the sight or even the smell of it.
One snap even shows a child carrying the head of a cow.
The religious holiday commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim, who is analogous to Abraham in the Bible, who was commanded by god to sacrifice his son to show obedience.
According to the Koran, as Ibrahim slashed the throat of his son, he found that an angel had replaced Ishmael with a goat.
So followers of Islam celebrate the story by sacrificing goats, cows, sheep as well as camels in the name of Allah.
The meat from the animals is then shared with family, friends and also given to feeed the poor.