David Shearer, head of the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Thursday sent "warm greetings" to the people of South Sudan and particularly Muslims on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha.

"Eid al-Adha is a celebration of sacrifice for the common good, family and community, and of compassion for those with the least among us,” Shearer said in a statement.

“During celebrations of this year’s Eid, may we come together around the values of compassion, equality and generosity, all of which sit at the heart of Islam and build a better South Sudan for people of all faiths and ethnicities,” he added.

The top UN official wished the people of South Sudan a blessed and peaceful Eid Al-Adha.

Eid al-Adha is the second of two Muslim holidays celebrated worldwide each year. It honours the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismael, as an act of obedience to God’s command.