AP PHOTOS: Afghans mark Eid al-Adha on its fourth year since the return of the Taliban
An Afghan boy works in a livestock market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) —
Afghans in Kabul have marked Eid al-Adha over the past two days with traditional prayers, animal sacrifices and family gatherings as the city observed the fourth such celebration since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Early in the morning, there were some open-air prayer grounds across the capital. Taliban police patrolled the streets and stood guard near prayer sites as crowds moved through the city.
Taliban fighters stand guard in front of the former U.S. embassy the day before Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Taliban fighters stand guard in front of the former U.S. embassy the day before Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An Afghan cattle farmer displays animals for sale ahead of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An Afghan cattle farmer displays animals for sale ahead of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An Afghan works in a livestock market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An Afghan works in a livestock market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
A young street vendor sells vegetables in a market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
A young street vendor sells vegetables in a market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Taliban officials monitor the city’s security at the city’s security camera control center ahead of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Taliban officials monitor the city’s security at the city’s security camera control center ahead of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An Afghan cattle farmer displays his cow for sale ahead of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An Afghan cattle farmer displays his cow for sale ahead of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
People shop in a market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
People shop in a market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An Afghan man shops in a market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An Afghan man shops in a market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
People shop in a market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
People shop in a market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Afghan Muslims perform Eid al-Adha. or “Feast of the Sacrifice” prayer while Taliban fighters stand guard outside the Shah-Do Shamshira Mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Afghan Muslims perform Eid al-Adha. or “Feast of the Sacrifice” prayer while Taliban fighters stand guard outside the Shah-Do Shamshira Mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
People buy sheep at the livestock market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
People buy sheep at the livestock market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An Afghan boy works in a market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An Afghan boy works in a market a day before the Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
A Taliban fighter stands guard in a market ahead of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
A Taliban fighter stands guard in a market ahead of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An Afghan girl works in a livestock market ahead of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
An Afghan girl works in a livestock market ahead of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Taliban fighters stand guard next to a market ahead of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Taliban fighters stand guard next to a market ahead of Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice”, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
At animal markets around Kabul, residents haggled over sheep and goats to be sacrificed in accordance with Eid customs. Vendors did brisk business as families prepared for the holiday feast. For many, it was a rare chance to celebrate amid ongoing economic hardship.
Inside a city security office, Taliban officials monitored surveillance screens showing various parts of Kabul, to maintain control and stability during public events.
For families in Kabul, Eid remains a time of faith, gathering, and reflection, even as daily life continues to adjust under the current administration.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
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This story has been corrected to note that this is the fourth Eid under the Taliban, not the third.