A Muslim man prays during Eid al-Adha prayers in Yinchuan, Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, Oct 26, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese Muslims across the country celebrated on Thursday the Eid al-Adha festival, or the Feast of Sacrifice.

The Chinese Islamic Association held a reception in Beijing on Thursday evening, inviting State dignitaries including Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu, Ling Jihua, head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, and envoys from some Islamic countries.

Chen Guangyuan, president of the Chinese Islamic Association, addressed the celebration by extending his greetings to Muslims living in China and across the world, and shared wishes that the Chinese Muslims currently making their pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, will successfully fulfill their duty.

The association will continue to serve the Islamic community in China, and make new contributions for economic development, social harmony and cultural prosperity, Chen said.

The Xinjiang Uygur and Ningxia Hui autonomous regions also held celebratory receptions on Thursday.

Eid al-Adha is an important four-day religious holiday observed by Muslims. It marks the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

China has more than 20 million Muslims, who mainly live in the western provinces of Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan, and in the Xinjiang Uygur and Ningxia Hui autonomous regions.