Muslims across the State began Id-ul-Azha celebrations with the sunset on Thursday. The Id will be celebrated on Friday with religious fervour.
Special prayers will be held at mosques and Id Gahs on Friday morning. The prayers will be between 7.30 a.m. and 8.30 a.m. It will be followed by animal sacrifice, a religious rite called Olihiyat.
Almost all mahals have arranged Olihiyats in different sizes and forms. Hundreds of buffaloes and goats have been readied for slaughter in the name of God on the Id day. The slaughter will begin soon after the Id prayers.
All cattle fairs in the State had witnessed heavy rush in the last two weeks. The prices of buffaloes too went up by 20 per cent. Animals without any blemish are preferred for Olihiyat. Markets and shops witnessed heavy rush on Thursday as last-minute buyers made a beeline for clothes, vegetables, grocery, and meat. “But this time it is slightly less,” said K. Haneefa, a meat merchant here.
Malappuram Kazi O.P.M. Syed Muthukoya Thangal, in his Id message, said that Prophet Abraham was a model not only for his followers, but also to the entire humanity. “The lessons of forbearance Prophet Abraham taught us through his life are relevant to modern society than to any of the past generations,” the Thangal said. He called upon Hajis to impart the values they gained from the pilgrimage to the families and society as well.
Syed Ibrahim Khaleel Bukhari, chairman of the Madin Academy, which runs many Islamic institutions here, said that the Id-ul-Azha should remind humanity of the sacrifices made by Prophet Abraham.
“It teaches us not to get disheartened before the miseries of life. It teaches us what forbearance actually is. It teaches us not to run away from life,” Mr. Bukhari said in his message.
Indian Union Muslim League State president Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal also greeted people on Id-ul-Azha.
Chandy, VS greet people
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan have greeted Keralites on the occasion of Bakrid.
The Chief Minister said the message of love and sacrifice of Bakrid was relevant for all times. The Opposition Leader said that Bakrid heralded oneness of good against evil. “Let it help to bring about unity and communal amity,” he said.
