Thousands of Muslims have defied pressure from hardline Buddhist monks to crowd a muddy cemetery in Myanmar's commercial capital to await the ritual slaughter of Eid al-Adha livestock. Eid Al-Adha in Myanmar

Thousands of Muslims have defied pressure from hardline Buddhist monks to crowd a muddy cemetery in Myanmar's commercial capital to await the ritual slaughter of Eid al-Adha livestock.

Thousands of Muslims have defied pressure from hardline Buddhist monks to crowd a muddy cemetery in Myanmar's commercial capital to await the ritual slaughter of Eid al-Adha livestock.

Eid Al-Adha in Myanmar

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Black plastic bags that contain sacrificial animal meats are seen after being separated for distribution to needy people during Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims share the sacrificed animal meat in Myanmar and conceal the meat in black bags as they don't want to be the source of any unnecessary problems. Wunna Shwe, from the festival's organizing committee, stated to media that nobody was allowed to photograph in the slaughter zone "not even take images of the sacrificial animals" for fear of the tensions the photos could inflame. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Black plastic bags that contain sacrificial animal meats are seen after being separated for distribution to needy people during Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims share the sacrificed animal meat in Myanmar and conceal the meat in black bags as they don't want to be the source of any unnecessary problems. Wunna Shwe, from the festival's organizing committee, stated to media that nobody was allowed to photograph in the slaughter zone "not even take images of the sacrificial animals" for fear of the tensions the photos could inflame. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Black plastic bags that contain sacrificial animal meats are seen after being separated for distribution to needy people during Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims share the sacrificed animal meat in Myanmar and conceal the meat in black bags as they don't want to be the source of any unnecessary problems. Wunna Shwe, from the festival's organizing committee, stated to media that nobody was allowed to photograph in the slaughter zone "not even take images of the sacrificial animals" for fear of the tensions the photos could inflame. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Black plastic bags that contain sacrificial animal meats are seen after being separated for distribution to needy people during Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims share the sacrificed animal meat in Myanmar and conceal the meat in black bags as they don't want to be the source of any unnecessary problems. Wunna Shwe, from the festival's organizing committee, stated to media that nobody was allowed to photograph in the slaughter zone "not even take images of the sacrificial animals" for fear of the tensions the photos could inflame. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Black plastic bags that contain sacrificial animal meats are seen after being separated for distribution to needy people during Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims share the sacrificed animal meat in Myanmar and conceal the meat in black bags as they don't want to be the source of any unnecessary problems. Wunna Shwe, from the festival's organizing committee, stated to media that nobody was allowed to photograph in the slaughter zone "not even take images of the sacrificial animals" for fear of the tensions the photos could inflame. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Black plastic bags that contain sacrificial animal meats are seen after being separated for distribution to needy people during Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims share the sacrificed animal meat in Myanmar and conceal the meat in black bags as they don't want to be the source of any unnecessary problems. Wunna Shwe, from the festival's organizing committee, stated to media that nobody was allowed to photograph in the slaughter zone "not even take images of the sacrificial animals" for fear of the tensions the photos could inflame. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Sacrificial animals are being prepared after Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. ( Stringer - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. ( Stringer - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Sacrificial animals are being prepared after Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. ( Stringer - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. ( Stringer - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. ( Stringer - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. ( Stringer - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. ( Stringer - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Sacrificial animals are being prepared after Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. ( Stringer - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Sacrificial animals are being prepared after Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. ( Stringer - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13 : Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in Yangon, Myanmar on September 13, 2016. ( Stringer - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Hundreds of vehicles lined up at the entrance into a Muslim cemetery before the Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Myanmar Muslims make preparations for animal sacrifice ritual as a part of Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) festival, in a Muslim cemetery in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Myanmar Muslims make preparations for animal sacrifice ritual as a part of Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) festival, in a Muslim cemetery in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in a Muslim cemetery in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in a Muslim cemetery in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in a Muslim cemetery in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in a Muslim cemetery in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in a Muslim cemetery in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in a Muslim cemetery in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in a Muslim cemetery in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in a Muslim cemetery in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in a Muslim cemetery in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in a Muslim cemetery in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )

YANGON, MYANMAR - SEPTEMBER 13: Myanmar Muslims perform Eid Al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) prayer in a Muslim cemetery in Hlaingtharyar Township in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar on September 13, 2016. In Myanmar, Eid Al-Adha festival lasts for only one day on September 13 as rest of the Muslims celebrate the holiday minimum 4 days long around the world. Muslims in Myanmar have been forced to keep celebrations Eid al-Adha, low-key, fearing reprisals from a Buddhist nationalist group pressuring local governments to ban cattle slaughters in some regions of the country. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid Al-Adha, to commemorate the holy Prophet Ibrahim’s (Prophet Abraham) readiness to sacrifice his son as a sign of his obedience to God, during which they sacrifice permissible animals, generally goats, sheep, and cows. Eid-al Adha is the one of two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, with prayers and the ritual sacrifice of animals. ( Kyaw Kyaw - Anadolu Agency )