It is the last month of the Islamic year.
Muslims on this day sacrifice their domestic animals like goat, sheep, cow, camel etc. to commemorate the willingness of Holy Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Hazrat Ismail as an act of obedience to God.
Wearing new dresses, Muslims, thronged at Idgahs and Mosques right from the morning to offer special Eid prayers.
In Delhi, the special Eid prayers, led by Maulana Ahmad Bukhari, Mufti Mukarram and Syed Mohsin Taqavi, held at historic Jama Masjid, Fatehpuri Masjid, Masjid-e-Shiian at Kashmiri Gate and Idgah.
In their addresses, the Prayers Leaders while congratulating the fellow citizens on the auspicious occasion, said: 'We offer our greetings and good wishes to all fellow citizens. Let us resolve to work together for peace, brotherhood, happiness and in a spirit of unity for the good of the nation'.
They said that it is a festival hailing the sacrifice of self and ego to the Almighty Allah. The festival lays great emphasis on charity and empathy for the needy and the underprivileged.
“Let us, on this occasion, reaffirm our resolve to further strengthen the spirit of brotherhood, unity of our cultural bonds and national integration,” they added.
Prayers were followed by the traditional offering of Qurbani (sacrifice) by the people at their houses and share the meat with neighbours, family, relatives, friends, and the poor, to symbolize the sacrifice of Holy Prophet Ibrahim.
It is mandatory to distribute Qurbani meat in three equal portions - the first portion can be kept at home, the second distributed among the poor and the third among relatives, friends and neighbours.
Greeting each other with well wishes for the festival along with the meat of the slaughtered animal, Muslims spend time with their near and dear ones to spread love and happiness all around.
Delicious food and drinks are served to all those people who visit Muslim places on this festival.
Meanwhile, India’s President, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice President Hamid Ansari and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi greeted the countrymen on the occasion.
In her message, the President said: “On the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, I convey my cordial greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens and to my Muslim brothers and sisters in particular.”
“May the festival bring all the communities and religions of India together in a celebration of our composite culture and civilization,” she added.
Vice President Ansari, in his message, said the festival celebrates the spirit of sacrifice shown by Prophet Ibrahim and promotes the feeling of compassion and love to serve the poor and the needy.
He called upon the people to celebrate this festival with joy of sharing, charity and serve the cause of humanity.
Manmohan Singh said Eid-ul-Zuha is an occasion to remember the spirit of supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim and the festival teaches us to be humble, charitable and to work for the greater good of humankind.
Reports of celebrations are coming from different parts of the country. With situation now normal after many months of disruption in Kashmir Valley, Eid-ul-Adha is being celebrated with full fervor there.
The adequate security arrangement has been made throughout the country for peaceful celebration of Eid-ul-Adha.
The festival is incorporated in the great pilgrimage to Holy Mecca which should properly be made during this month but it is also observed all over the Muslim world at the same time.
The underlying importance of this festival is the spirit of sacrifice (Qurbani) in memory of Holy Prophet Ibrahim's great act of faith many centuries ago.
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