In Slovenia the main Eid al Adha prayer will be held at the Kodeljevo sports hall in Ljubljana and led by Mufti Nedžad Grabus, with smaller congregations gathering in several other Slovenian cities.

The mufti proclaimed a message of peace in a televised address aired on the eve of the holiday, emphasising Islam as being uniting and opposed to all forms of extremism and violence.

He also stressed that the holiday honoured the sacrifice of Abraham - known to Muslims as Ibrahim - who is shared among the three major monotheistic religions.

"His willingness to sacrifice and constant effort in the quest for the truth raise hope that strong faith in God can overcome great tests in life," he said.

Eid al Adha is the culmination and end of the Haj, the pilgrimage to the Muslim's holy city of Mecca.