Obama honors Muslim holiday

President Obama is extending best wishes for Eid al-Adha, the Muslim festival of sacrifice.

In a White House statement, the president and first lady Michelle Obama also congratulated the millions of Muslims who are performing the annual hajj pilgrimage.

"The Eid and hajj rituals are a reminder of the shared roots of the world's Abrahamic faiths and the powerful role that faith plays in motivating communities to serve and stand with those in need," Obama said in the just-released statement.

The AFP wire service reports that "more than 2.5 million Muslim pilgrims began on Friday the rites of the annual hajj pilgrimage, leaving the holy city of Mecca for Mount Arafat, where the prophet Mohammed is believed to have delivered his final hajj sermon."

The White House statement:

Michelle and I extend our greetings for a happy Eid al-Adha to Muslims worldwide and congratulate those performing hajj. Thousands of Muslim Americans are among those who have joined one of the world's largest and most diverse gatherings in making the pilgrimage to Mecca and nearby sites.

As Muslims celebrate this Eid, they will also commemorate Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son by distributing food to those less fortunate around the world. They join the United States and the international community in relief efforts to assist those struggling to survive in the Horn of Africa and those recovering from the devastating earthquake in Turkey.

The Eid and Hajj rituals are a reminder of the shared roots of the world's Abrahamic faiths and the powerful role that faith plays in motivating communities to serve and stand with those in need. On behalf of the American people, we extend our best wishes during this Hajj season. Eid Mubarak and Hajj Mabrour.