Mangaluru/Udupi, Aug 22: Hundreds of thousands of Muslims in coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi today celebrated Eid-ul-Adha, the festival of sacrifice with great devotion traditional fervour.
Locally known as ‘Bakrid’, the second major festival of Islamic calendar is celebrated to commemorate the sacrifices of Prophet Ibraheem (pbuh). This global festival also marked the completion of Hajj, the last of the five pillars of Islam. In Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries the Eid-ul-Adha prayers were offered yesterday where as in India the festival began today.
Proclaiming the greatness of the Almighty God, Muslims thronged the mosques and Eidgahs early in the day and offered Eid prayers. In some parts a large number of women too offered namaz in mosques and Eidgahs.
In several villages across coastal belt, Muslims took out peaceful procession from their jurisdictional mosques to Eidgahs ahead of the prayers.
People wished Eid Mubarak and hugged each other as a large number of shutterbugs tried to capture the poignant scenes of the festival prayers and greetings. People of all age-groups were seen taking selfies with friends after exchanging greetings.
Khateebs in their Eid sermons exhorted the believers to follow the ideals of Prophet Ibraheem (pbuh), who was ready to sacrifice his own son Prophet Ismaeel (pbuh). They offered prayers for the Kerala and Kodagu flood victims and urged Muslims to continue extending all kinds of support generously to the needy people in the affected regions.
“It is the duty of every Muslims to show solidarity with the victims of calamities irrespective of their community and religion, and help them in all possible ways,” said one of the senior clerics in his Eid sermon.
Mangaluru Khazi Twaka Ahmed Musliyar, in his Eid sermon at Eidgah Masjid, urged the Muslims to remain steadfast in adhering to their religion and not to indulge in any wrongdoing throughout their lives.
“A Muslim will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha with the fear of life after death and consequent readiness to sacrifice anything for the almighty. This festival upholds the human dignity. One cannot misuse this day for any frivolous activity”, he said.
Warning Muslims against wasting money for unnecessary things during Eid, he said that charity is one of the pillars of Islam where as extravagance is a symbol of the devil. “Let us generously contribute to the rehabilitation of flood victims and other needy people,” he said.
In Mangaluru city alone around 30 mosques were open for Eid prayers. Thakqwa Masjid at Pumpwell, Noor Masjid at Hampankatta, Kudroli Juma Masjid, Juma Masjid adjacent to Sayyid Madani Dargah, Salsabeel Masjid in Ullal and Huda Masjid in Thokkottu also attracted large number of believers.
Meanwhile, police units in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi districts beefed up security in the areas where mosques are located, particularly in and around the twin cities. Police constables were also seen keeping vigil in some of the mosques.
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