Mangaluru/Udupi, Sep 24: Eid al-Adha, the festival of sacrifice, was celebrated with gaiety in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi on Thursday.
Locally known as ‘Bakrid’, the second major festival of Islamic calendar is celebrated to commemorate the sacrifices of Prophet Ibraheem (pbuh). In Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia also the ‘Greater Eid’ was celebrated on Thursday, which marked the completion of Hajj, the last of the five pillars of Islam. However, in many parts of Karnataka and India Ed al-Adha will be celebrated on Friday.
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. Prayers were offered for the ‘magfirath’ of those who died in recent construction crane tragedy in Makkah.
In several villages of the twin district, Muslims took out peaceful procession from their jurisdictional Masjid’s to Eidgahs ahead of the prayers.
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. 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 had decided to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismaeel (pbuh) as ordained by Allah.
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 al-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.
He urged the Muslims to emulate the example of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) and uphold Islamic unity and brotherhood. He also reiterated that Thouheed (monotheism) was the essence of teachings of all the prophets (pbuh).
In Mangaluru city alone over a dozen Masjids were open for Eid prayers. Thakqwa Masjid at Pumpwell, Noor Masjid at Hampankatta, Kudroli Salafi Masjid, 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.
Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim and a galaxy of political and social leaders also offered prayers at Mangaluru Eidgah Masjid.
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 seen keeping vigil in some of the Masjids.
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