Tens of thousands are expected to assemble for congregational prayers at Eidgahs, Majids and shrines across Jammu and Kashmir today to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, the Muslim festival of sacrifice.
Clerics and Islamic scholars will deliver Khutba and explain the significance of the major annual festival to the believers.
The biggest gathering is expected at historic Eidgah in Downtown Srinagar, followed by Dargah Hazratbal where Eid prayers are scheduled to be offered at 9am and 10:30am respectively.
Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is scheduled to address people ahead of Eid prayers at the Eidgah. In case of wet weather, organisers said, Eid prayers will be offered at historic Jamia Masjid at Nowhatta.
Big gatherings are also expected in main Eidgahs, shrines and Masjids in Pulwama, Kupwara, Handwara, Pattan, Sumbal, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Budgam, Charar-i-Sharif, Shopian, Bijbehara, Anantnag (Islamabad), Beerwah, Tral, Pampore, Kulgam, Jammu, Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Poonch and Rajouri and Leh.
Authorities said the district administrations have made all necessary arrangements for the special Eid prayers. Eid-ul-Adha falls on the 10th day of the last month of Islamic calendar, Zul Hijjah and is a major part of the annual holy pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah.
Muslims celebrate the holiday to commemorate their belief in Abraham’s willingness to follow Allah’s command to sacrifice his son Ishmael (AS), and Ishmael’s (AS) consent to being sacrificed.
Today, it is marked by slaughtering animals. Coming at the end of the Hajj, a journey of dedication and purification.
Usually, after offering Eid prayers, people then greet friends and family with the traditional salutation of Eid Mubarak (Have a blessed Eid). Children recieve money which is commonly known as Eedi.
In a symbolic act, Muslims who can afford it slaughter a cow, goat, sheep or camel, keeping a portion to feed themselves and distributing the rest to friends, family and the needy.
Arrangements
Traffic police authorities said they have formulated a comprehensive traffic route plan to ensure smooth flow of vehicular movement in view of the big festival.
“To ensure smooth movement of traffic on all routes leading to major Eidgahs, Masjids and shrines in Srinagar, the comprehensive traffic route plan has been chalked out. During past few days, despite manifold rush of Eid shoppers thronging city markets, we successfully gave smooth passage to the traffic on all routes,” said Tahir Geelani, senior superintendent of police for Srinagar traffic.
An official said adequate parking arrangements for private and public transport have also been made.
Security arrangements have also been put in place while market checking squads were pressed till yesterday evening to take action under law against black marketers.
Authorities have been directed to provide uninterrupted power and water supply to consumers during the festival.
However, residents in Downtown Srinagar expressed displeasure over the “non-satisfactory sanitation” in the area.
Greetings
Governor NN Vohra has extended warm greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Adha and prayed for their well-being and prosperity.
In his message of felicitations, the Governor hoped this festival would further strengthen the bonds of communal harmony, brotherhood, amity, and revive the glorious pluralistic ethos for which Jammu and Kashmir has been known for centuries past.
Vohra prayed for peace, progress and prosperity in the state, a government spokesman said.
Geelani greets people on Eid-ul-Adha
Extending Eid greetings to the whole Ummah in general and the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir in particular, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani today appealed to the people to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha with simplicity and austerity.
“All the affluent families of the state should take care of the orphans, widows, families of martyrs and prisoners and other needy on this auspicious occasion,” Geelani said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Eid is an occasion of happiness and celebration, however, Eid of suppressed nations is when they achieve complete freedom from enforced control. It is not just a formal custom. It is an auspicious day and a divine gift from almighty Allah for people who offer sacrifices of animals and perform Hajj on this holy festival.”
The octogenarian leader reminded people that the day of Eid is the day of seeking forgiveness from the almighty Allah and a thanksgiving day for the people.
“People should celebrate Eid with austerity and simplicity and according to the Islamic principles. They should also take a pledge to shun un-Islamic activities and extravagance in their whole life,” the statement quoted Geelani as having said.
Referring to the prevailing ‘gloomy’ situation in state, Geelani said, “Our nation has so far missed the real spirit of this day because of the atrocities and the cruel behavior of the Indian forces against the common people. The people of this troubled region are miserably suffering for the last seven decades.”
Dr. Farooq, Omar Abdullah greet people
National Conference president, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and vice-president, Omar Abdullah on Tuesday greeted the people of the state and the entire Muslim fraternity on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
Praying for peace, stability and prosperity the Abdullahs said Eid was a special occasion to remember the lesser privileged, destitute and downtrodden and to share our joy with them.
Highlighting the spirit of sacrifice and selflessness that is epitomised by Eid-ul-Azha, the Abdullahs said it was important to remember families, especially children who had lost their near and dear ones to violence.
“Eid-ul-Azha is a special occasion for all of us to dedicate ourselves to the service of our people and to work earnestly to resolve issues that continue to adversely affect their lives,” Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah said in their joint message.
Senior NC leaders including Ali Muhammad Sagar, Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Nasir Aslam Wani, Devender Singh Rana and party legislators and functionaries have also extended warm Eid greetings to the people.
Mirwaiz greets Muslim Ummah
Patron of Mutahida Majlise Ulema and chairman of his faction of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq extended warm greetings to the entire Muslim Ummah including the “oppressed people” of Jammu and Kashmir on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.
Mirwaiz in his message said the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha has a significance in the great history behind sacrificing animals as the act reminds the people of the courage and the patience shown by the Prophet Ibrahim( AS) and Ismaeel(AS).
The chief cleric of Kashmir said, in J&K Eid-ul-Adha has come at a time when there is an “all out assault our identity and citizenship rights” as anti-Kashmir forces were trying their level best to change the majority character and disputed nature of the state.
The Mirwaiz said people of J&K irrespective of cast creed, region must take a pledge to protect the state subject law and to remain rock solid to foil all attempts aimed at changing the demography of the Muslim-majority state.
“On this auspicious occasion, people of state must vow to take the ongoing freedom struggle toward,” the Mirwaiz said in a statement, and urged all sections of society to refrain from extravaganza and to observe the festival of sacrifice with austerity.
He appealed prosperous people to help the poor and destitute and also the victims of “Delhi’s aggression in Kashmir” so that they too can celebrate Eid.
The Mirwaiz also hailed the courage and resilience of Kashmiri political prisoners who are languishing in various jails in and outside the state.
Salahuddin greets people
Chairman of United Jihad Council, Syed Salahuddin greeted Muslim Ummah and the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha and urged philanthropists and donors not to forget the needy and destitute on the auspicious occasion.
In his message, the UJC chief expressed optimism that the day was not far when Muslim Ummah would retrieve its lost glory.
“Freedom loving people around the globe, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir have been observing Eid under the dark shade of oppression and suppression where every day is Karbala and every night is Sham-e-Gareeban,” Salahuddin said.
Referring to the sufferings of Kashmiri people, Salahuddin said not a single family was left unaffected.
The chief of the umbrella body of militant groups operating in Kashmir also appealed donors to come forward in a big way to help the needy and poor who have suffered during the years’ long struggle. (CNS)
Advisors Vyas, Kumar, Ganai greet people
Advisors to Governor, B B Vyas, K Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ahmad Ganai have extended greetings and good wishes to the people of the state on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
In their separate messages, the advisors observed that this festival symbolises strength of faith and willingness to offer the dearest of things in the righteous path.
“May this festival become a harbinger of peace, prosperity and well being for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” they prayed on the occasion.
The three advisors expressed hope that this auspicious occasion would mark a new beginning in upholding human values in the state and bring everlasting contentment and prosperity to its people.