Muslims across the Middle East marked Eid al-Adha this week with subdued celebrations as wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran overshadowed the normally festive holiday. From Tehran to Sanaa, families gathered for prayers amid power outages, fuel shortages, and displacement caused by months of fighting.

In Gaza, worshippers prayed beside the bombed ruins of Al-Huda Mosque in Khan Younis, while markets in Deir al-Balah displayed emaciated livestock instead of the fattened animals traditionally sacrificed. Ahmed Shabrawi, 25, sent $600 to relatives in Cairo to purchase sheep for displaced families, unable to afford the nearly $6,000 price tag for a single animal in Gaza.

Lebanon's capital Beirut hosted morning prayers at Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque despite recent Israeli bombardment, with displaced Sudanese and Lebanese residents attempting to create moments of joy. In Iran, internet access returned just as Eid began, though many citizens expressed indifference to the holiday amid economic strain.

Yemen faced prolonged power cuts and rising prices for Eid essentials, while West Bank families struggled with unpaid salaries and job losses since October 2023. The convergence of multiple conflicts has transformed a sacred celebration into a somber reminder of regional instability.