President Sheikh Mohamed exchanges Eid Al Adha greetings with Arab leaders

Leaders expressed their best wishes for good health and happiness

President Sheikh Mohamed exchanged Eid best wishes with regional leaders. Presidential Court

President Sheikh Mohamed has exchanged Eid Al Adha greetings during phone conversations with leaders of countries in the region.

During the calls, Sheikh Mohamed shared best wishes with Sultan Haitham of Oman, King Hamad of Bahrain and Jordan's King Abdullah II.

The leaders wished good health and happiness to all and the well-being of their countries and people, state news agency Wam reported.

They also expressed their shared wish that stability and prosperity will prevail in Arab and Muslim nations and around the world.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, extended his Eid greetings on Twitter to all those celebrating in the UAE and other Arab and Muslim nations.

"All Muslims at Arafat stand united in prayers and thoughts, asking God for mercy, forgiveness and heaven," he said, marking the Day of Arafah.

"We ask God to accept their prayers and supplications, and to unite their hearts always and forever with feelings of love and peace."

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, also shared his good wishes for Eid this week.

"We congratulate our wise leadership, our dear people and the Arab and Islamic nation on the advent of the blessed Eid Al Adha and may you be blessed with its returns," Sheikh Hamdan said on Twitter.

Eid Al Adha – the “festival of the sacrifice” – will be observed from Wednesday.

The religious festival is the second of the two Eids held during the year.

It is marked during Dhu Al Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar, which began on Monday, June 19, and also includes the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Dhu Al Hijja is considered one of the four sacred months for Muslims, called Al Ash-hur Al Hurom.

Eid Al Adha is a time for family and friends to come together and show generosity and goodwill to others.

UAE leaders have pardoned more than 2,600 prisoners ahead of Eid Al Adha in keeping with the spirit of the occasion.

Rulers of the emirates typically free prisoners to mark religious occasions, of which Eid Al Adha is one of the most significant.

Many public and private sector employees in the UAE will enjoy at least a six-day break from work to mark the festivities.

Paid leave began on Tuesday, with work resuming on Monday, July 3.