Mangalore/Udupi, October 26: Eid-ul-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, was celebrated with gaiety in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi on Friday.
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.
Glorifying the greatness of Allah, thousands of Muslims across the twin districts, thronged the Masjids and Eidgahs early in the day and offered Eid prayers. Hundreds of women and children too participated in prayers in some of the Masjids. Special 'duas' were offered for global peace and harmony.
Donning new clothes, Muslims visited houses of their relatives, where they were treated with special sweet dishes. Platters of a variety of delicious cuisines were prepared in Muslim households.
Children dressed in festival attire added colour to the celebrations. 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.
Khateebs in their Eid sermons exhorted the believers to follow the ideals of Prophet Ibraheem (pbuh), who had decided to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismaeel (pbuh) as ordained by Allah.
Mangalore 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.
Mangalore's top cop Manish Kharbikar paid visit to Eidgah and exchanged Eid greetings with Muslim brethren.
Maulavi Abdul Azeez, who led Eid prayers at Noor Masjid in Hampankatta, Mangalore, urged the Muslims to emulate the example of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) and uphold Islamic unity and brotherhood.
Stating that there was no place in Islam for groupism and divisions, he said that entire Muslim ummah is like one body, as per the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
He also reiterated that Thouheed (monotheism) was the essence of teachings of all the prophets (pbuh).
In Mangalore city over a dozen Masjids were open for Eid prayers. Juma Masjid adjacent to Sayyid Madani Dargah and Salsabeel Masjid in Ullal, and Huda Masjid and Thokkottu also attracted large number of believers.
Meanwhile, police units in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi beefed up security in the areas where Masjids are located, particularly in and around the twin cities. Police constables were also seen keeping vigil in some of the Masjids.
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