Eid al-Adha Celebrations Begin Across Cyprus

Eid al-Adha, one of the two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, begins today. Festive prayers were held from 6:00 a.m. in mosques throughout the country, marking the start of the celebration.

The Police Directorate has announced that law enforcement services will be available around the clock during the holiday period. Authorities are urging the public not to drive under the influence of alcohol and to obey speed limits at all times.

In their statement, police also reminded drivers that children under the age of 3 may not be transported in vehicles unless they are secured in a proper child safety seat. Children between 135–150 cm in height must sit in the back seat and wear a seatbelt, while those under 135 cm must be placed in a child seat installed in the rear of the vehicle. The police emphasized: “Children under 150 cm tall are not allowed to sit in the front seat.” They concluded their message by wishing everyone a safe, peaceful, and joyful Eid.

As with every major holiday, local authorities have implemented additional safety measures to ensure essential services continue without interruption.

President Ersin Tatar and his wife Sibel will mark the holiday today by receiving well-wishers at 10:30 a.m. For the first time, the official celebration will be held at the new Presidential Complex and will be open to the public.

A special festival area will be set up at the Nicosia Fairground during the holiday period. Meanwhile, the Municipal Market (Bandabuliya) will remain closed for the first three days of the holiday and will reopen on Monday, June 9.

Residents across Cyprus are reminded that animal sacrifices are strictly forbidden in public spaces, communal areas, or any location visible to others. Authorities also stressed that waste from sacrificial animals must not be poured into water sources or sewage systems, thrown into regular waste bins, or left in open areas. Girne Municipality warned that violators will face penalties for non-compliance.