Srinagar: Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice also known as ‘Bakra Eid’, will be observed with religious fervor across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.
A huge congregational Eid prayers gathering are expected at Srinagar Eidgah and Aasar-e-Sharif DargahHazratbal here, besides in Eidgahs, Masajids and Shrines across the State where Islamic clerics will throw light on the significance of Eid-ul-Azha.
As per the Islamic teachings, on this Eid, which is being celebrated on the 10th of the Islamic calendar’s last month, Dhu’l-Hijjah, a spiritual Muslim offer a goat or sheep as a sacrificial animal while one camel and a calf will suffice for the vow of seven Muslims.
Allah ordered Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail. When the blindfolded father moved the blade on his son’s throat to carry out the divine command, an animal from heaven replaced Ismail.
It is to celebrate the absolute submission of Prophet Ibrahim to Allah’s command and the saving of Ismail’s life that Muslims offer animal sacrifices on Eid-ul-Azha.
The Muslims Ummah as per Islamic teachings will start performing the act of sacrificing animals following the congregational Eid prayers.
Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Azha to commemorate Prophet Abraham’s (AS) willingness to follow Allah’s command to sacrifice his son Ismaeel (AS).
Meanwhile, the markets in Kashmir especially the commercial Hub Lal Chowk and other adjacent areas in Srinagar witnessed a huge rush of shoppers from past several days, who were seen buying essentials and other food stuff for the Eid.
While queues of buyers were seen outside bakery and mutton shops, the most crowded places in the city were the makeshift animal markets, especially at the Eidgah ground in the old City.
The other main attractions were on bakery products. Cakes, pastries, cookies and biscuits sold like hot cakes. Some of the better known bakery shops in Srinagar had taken orders as long as a month back.
The traffic cops deployed on Srinagar roads had also a tough time regulating the flow of vehicles.
The volunteers including boys and girls were also assisting them to ensure the smooth movement of commuters.
Meanwhile, the authorities in view of the Eid have formulated a comprehensive Traffic Route Plan to ensure smooth flow of vehicular movement. (KNS)
