Srinagar: The holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second biggest religious festival of Muslims, will be celebrated across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday with due solemnity and religious fervour.
On the occasion, Muslims will offer prayers in congregations and sacrifice animals in the name of Almighty Allah. They will offer munajat seeking divine blessings for peace, progress and prosperity of State particularly Kashmir Valley as well as welfare of the Muslim Ummah.
The Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th of Zilhajj month of the Hizri calendar as Hazrat Ibrahim (AS), on this day, some 4,000 years ago, offered to sacrifice his beloved son Hazrat Ismail (AS) who willingly submitted to the will of his father to please Allah. But the Almighty Allah in His benign mercy spared Hazrat Ismail (AS) and instead sent a ram to be sacrificed.
To commemorate this historic event, Muslims all over the world slaughter sacrificial animals and draw inspiration from the unique example of sacrifice to please Allah as shown by two great prophets – Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) and Hazrat Ismail (AS).
The government has taken elaborate programmes to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha across the State with due solemnity and religious fervour.
The State will enjoy a three-day holiday. Kashmir’s main Eid congregation will be held at the Eidgah at 8.00 am to be attended by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and other dignitaries along with hundreds of people.
Special arrangements have been made for women to offer Eid prayers in different grounds across Jammu and Kashmir including Chenab Valley.
Another biggest Eid congregation will be held, as usual, at Hazratbal Srinagar amid intensified security vigil. The authorities concerned have taken strict measures to ensure public safety.
A police official told news agency CNS that thousands of members of law enforcement agencies, including policemen in plain clothes would be looking after the security on the Eid occasion.
“Besides, closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) will be installed surrounding the important Eidgah grounds to monitor the situation,” he said.
He added that foolproof special security measure would be ensured in and around Eidgah grounds.
Meanwhile, makeshift cattle markets in the city and elsewhere have been witnessing a rush of buyers for sacrificial animals.
