Ebola casts pall over Eid holiday in West Africa

CONAKRY, Guinea (AP) — The raging Ebola outbreak that has killed more than 3,400 people in West Africa cast a pall Saturday over celebrations in the region of Eid al-Adha, one of Islam’s most important holidays.

In Guinea, the day appeared almost as any other. The usual fields and squares where people gather to pray on the holiday were empty, as people heeded their government’s warning to avoid large gatherings. People slaughtered their sheep — the traditional rite of Eid — in small groups at home, rather than at the usual large parties. Merchants complained that few people bought new clothes, as is typical for the holiday, called Tabaski in many parts of West Africa.