The Islamic festival Eid-al-Adha was observed on Monday with religious fervour along with the last Monday of the Sawan month commemorated by Shiva devotees in Shivalayas. Long queues of people were seen outside major Shiva temples in Haridwar and many devotees performed Rudrabhishek in temples.

August is the month of Zil Hijjah in which financially abled Muslims perform Haj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca followed by the Bakrid or Eid-ul-Adha celebrated on the 10th of ‘Hijjah’ month. Of the two Eids, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid ul Adha, Eid-ul-Adha is considered holier by the community members. With the economic aspect attached to it, Padma Shri recipient Khalid Zaheer said that most of the people in Asia and Arab countries are not financially sound to afford meat.

But on this day there is a practice of distribution of meat to the poorer sections which ensures that at least once in a year these people feast on non-vegetarian food which they cannot afford otherwise. 

Explicating the spirit behind the festival, Zaheer said, “The goat is sacrificed in the name of Allah and the meat is divided into three parts. One part of the meat is to be distributed among the poor people, one part among the relatives and friends and one third of it is brought home for personal use. It is a very meaningful ritual and the people must refrain from show off which has crept in this ritual these days to purchase costliest of the goats for sacrifice. This dilutes the spirit of sacrifice.”

Suggesting ways to celebrate Eid in a better way, Arzoo said Governments and Muslim associations must come up by assigning areas for animal sacrifice and people should not be allowed to sacrifice at any nook or corner posing problems for municipal authorities to maintain sanitation and cleanliness. In metro cities, it is already being maintained but in other parts of the country, this must be enforced, added Arzoo.