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Mohammed Wajihuddin, TNN | Nov 6, 2011, 01.24AM IST


MUMBAI: Muslims in the city are gearing up for Eidul Adha or Bakri Eid, the festival of sacrifice on November 7. Though for many the festival will be muted due to high inflation, especially high prices of the goats which most Muslims sacrifice on Bakrid, the community leaders say the festival's spirit should not be compromised even if some families don't sacrifice animals.

Muslim households will prepare a variety of sumptuous dishes, including sheer khorma, payas and mutton biryani. "Unlike Eid which is celebrated at the end of Ramzan, Bakrid is not about sweet dishes. It is mostly about dishes made of meat and I too am planning a few nice dishes for the occasion," said Mira Road-based housewife Saeeda Khatoon. Like many others, she too is concerned that the high prices of goats have drilled big holes in the Muslim pockets this year. Many families have been forced to forego the animal sacrifices as they couldn't afford to buy high-priced goats. "It is for the first time that we will not be sacrificing a goat. We will contend with the meat that we might get from my friends," said a Mumbai Central-based Haj tour operator who is among the 170 operators who have incurred a huge debt due to cancellation of licenses by the Ministry of External Affairs, denying them their quota to take Haj pilgrims to Makkah.

But then Bakrid is not just about animal sacrifice and feasting. "It is a mark of respect to the tradition set by Prophet Abraham, revered by followers of all the three Abrahamic religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. When Muslims sacrifice animals, they perform a duty ordained by Allah," said senior cleric Maulana Shoeb Koti. However, Koti also warned against hurting the sentiments of those who are against animal sacrifice and said that sacrifice should not be done in the open and, especially in the localities and buildings where people of other faiths too reside. Bakrid's spirit of sharing is obvious in the fact that meat is divided into three parts: first part goes to the poor, the second to close relatives and friends and third remains with the family which is sacrificing the animal. -- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/




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