WORLD CAPITALS, February 3 (IslamOnline.net) - The message to Muslims at Eid al-Adha came clear and to the point; Muslims should act in one hand to help alleviate the burdens of the needy or face up to foreign threats.

In Iraq, a country occupied for more than eight months now, voices of solidarity came much higher.

"Every Iraqi should well understand that foreign occupation is a lurking danger not only to himself or herself, but also to the very values of Islam," said Sheikh Abdel-Hamid Faydy at al-Mustafa Baghdad mosque.

The attentive worshippers were also urged to avoid all attempts to stir up sectarian violence in the already-turbulent war-scarred country.

"The enemies bet on tearing down our Islamic unity by triggering sectarianism when the Sunnis and Shiites lined up to demand occupation forces pack up and leave," said Sheikh Mahdi Saleh in Sayyed Al-Shohada mosque.

"We will not replace despots with those who are more tyrannical," Saleh said, referring to the U.S. occupation authorities.

Many Iraqis feel furious over the U.S. military provocations, including random shootings and massive detentions.

Saleh underlined the significance of the ritual of Hajj, where two million Muslims from all over the world are now performing in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

"It is a manifestation of the sheer unity of Muslims," the religious scholar said.

Sheikh Sannan Al-Kubeisi vowed that Islamic scholars would keep on urging people to cooperate in expelling the occupation forces.

"Occupation authorities had warned mosque imams not to attack them or lash out at their aggressive practices against the Iraqis; the threats we would never bow to," said Al-Kubeisi of Imam Ali mosque in the town of Najaf, some 160 km south of Baghdad.

In Turkey, calls for helping the poor and the needy were echoed in Eid prayers speeches.

Given the true meaning of sacrifice at Eid, the meat of the animals sacrificed should be distributed to the Muslims' poor across the world, Gawdat Mullah told worshippers who streamed into the central mosque in the city for performing the rituals of the holy feast.

A number of charities in the country launched a few days ago a large campaign appealing for help to the poor in Somalia, Palestinian territories, Chechnya and Eastern Turkmenistan by donating the value of the sacrificed meat.

It is mustahabb (preferable) to divide the meat of the sacrificed animal between one’s family, his relatives and the poor to manifest social integration.

The ritual reminds Muslims of the great act of sacrifice Prophet Ibrahim and his son Isma`eel were willing to make for the sake of God.

In Mexico city, Muslims have to make the prayers in a makeshift mosque in a Pakistani restaurant's car parking.

More than 500 Muslims showed up for the prayers, which - fortunately - coincided with the official weekend in the American country.

The Muslim Education Center officials said Muslims attempt to build a mosque, an ambition hindered by poor financial resources and high prices.

Muslims now pray in the centre, registered as a non-governmental association in 2001.

In Turkmenistan, a former Soviet Union republic, the capital of Eshqabad witness more festive atmosphere, where more than 7,000 Muslims turned up at the prayers in the Great Mosque.

More than 500 animals were sacrificed, much to the happiness of poor and needy in the country.