Festivals for Eid el-Kabir bring Nigerians together on Lagos Island.

Residents of Lagos Island turned today’s celebration of Eid-el-Kabir into a carnival and a chance to come together.

According to NAN, Islanders celebrated the annual ram slaughtering ritual of the Muslim community with music, entertainment, cooking, eating, and the popping of champagne.

Beginning with prayers in mosques that had to close off adjacent streets due to crowding, the event transitioned into colorful canopies where musicians took turns performing for the crowd.

Both Muslim and non-Muslim musicians from across Nigeria performed at the event, which became a unifying moment for people of all faiths and ethnicities in Nigeria.

Muslims celebrating the holiday at Tinubu’s Square Prayer Ground shared food and drinks with those around them as a sign of brotherhood and solidarity.

On Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, two Muslim families did the same thing, providing residents with food and other necessities.

Members of the sect played down faith doctrines and fed everyone who gathered at the Nadwat-NAdwat Global Assembly Worship Centre on Igbosere Road.

Alhaja Soliu Aishat, the organization’s spokeswoman, explained that they wanted to highlight the value of sacrifice as shown by the Prophet Ibrahim.

Music filled the air as residents of Obalende and Falomo celebrated in the streets with the slaughter of cattle and fireworks.

Mr. Emeka Ikokwu, a guest at one of the parties, said he came with his family to congratulate Mr. Fola Lawal, a coworker of his.

Prof. Adewale Paramole, Chief Missioner of the Jejewiyyat Muslim Association of Nigeria, spoke at the event and emphasized its importance as a means of national healing following the country’s recent tumultuous general elections.

Against a backdrop of calls for national cohesion, the cleric told our correspondent that Islam was a human-oriented religion.

Following the removal of the gasoline subsidy, he said the government should provide palliatives to help the people cope.

To accommodate Muslims in commemorating Eid-el-Kabir, the federal government has designated Wednesday and Thursday as official holidays.

Every year, people gather to remember Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) unwavering trust in God, even when God asked him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.