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Thiruvananthapuram/Mumbai: Devout Muslims in Kerala came together Friday morning to offer
prayers as part of the Eid-ul-Azha or Bakrid celebrations. Rest of
India will be celebrating the holy festival tomorrow on October
27.
Sacrificial meat was distributed after the Eid prayers.
Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated by Muslims throughout the World to
commemorate the sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim, who was
prepared to sacrifice his son Ismail to please Allah.
As the
father blindfolded himself and moved the blade on the son's
throat, Allah ordered a ram from heaven to replace Ismail.
Festivities followed at Ibrahim's home as Allah had accepted his
sacrifice, but spared his son, according to news agency IANS.
Animal sacrifice is, therefore, the most significant custom
observed by devotees on Eid-ul-Azha.
Crowds swelled in Muslim dominated Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kochi
districts, as also in this state capital. Tents were erected at
most places for devotees to offer their prayers, with special
sections for women.
Malayalam superstar Mammootty arrived at the Kaloor stadium in
Kochi along with his actor son Dulqar Salman to offer prayers.
Since Thursday evening huge crowds were seen in front of mutton
stalls all across the state. The cost of a kilogram of mutton shot
up to Rs.500.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Leader of Opposition V.S.
Achuthanandan extended Bakrid greetings.
President Pranab Mukherji and Prime
Minister Dr Manmohan Singh have also extended Eid greetings.
Muslims account for around 24 percent of the state's nearly 33
million population.
Kerala celebrates Eid with Muslims in
the Gulf nations. The Gulf nations including Saudi Arabia are also
celebrating Eid-ul-Azha today.
Rest of India including Delhi,
Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jammu & Kashmir and Bangalore are set to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha
tomorrow on October 27. The decision was announced by various moon
sighting committees on October 17.
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