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CAIRO — In Egypt, hundreds of thousands of Muslims are celebrating the birthday of a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

The Moulid al-Hussein celebration is one of the largest in Egypt, which draws worshippers from all over the country and takes place at Al-Hussein mosque in Cairo. Families enjoy carnival rides and food, as well as solemnly mark the day with prayer at the mosque. Those who couldn't enter the mosque pressed themselves Tuesday night into its gate for prayers.

Here are a series of images by AP photographer Mosa'ab Elshamy of the celebrations in Cairo.