|
|
Bakrid, the festival of
sacrifice, is one of the most important
festivals for Muslims. After Ramzan, it is the one
festival, which Muslims around the globe celebrate with
religious fervour and gaiety. Bakrid falls on the last
month of the Islamic calendar.
Bakrid,
also known as Idd-ul-Zuha, coincides with the Haj
pilgrimage at Mecca, where Muslims from all over
the world congregate to perform the annual ritual of Haj.
The significance of the festival is the commemoration of
the ordeals of Prophet Ibrahim, who was put to a
tough test by Allah to prove his faith. He was asked to
sacrifice his son Ismail and without any
hesitation Prophet Ibrahim blindfolded himself and made
the offering on the Mount of Mina near Mecca.
|
|
|
When
Prophet Abraham opened his eyes, he was astonished to find a
goat lying upon the altar and his son Ismail standing in front
of him. Ever since, faithfuls of Islam the world over offer
sacrifices on the festival day of Bakrid.
The day of the Idd-ul-Zuha starts with the morning Namaz,
where Muslims of all ages offer special prayers at mosques.
Namazis are required to offer prayers on an empty stomach.
This festival also calls upon every Muslim, who can afford, to
sacrifice an animal - a goat, sheep, camel or bull. After
Namaz, "qurbani" (sacrifice) is performed.
Once the sacrifice is done, meat is served to the family and
distributed in the neighborhood and
poor. The meat is generally
divided into three portions - one part for the poor, another
for friends and relatives and remaining is for the family.
In Hyderabad, Bakrid is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm
and religious fervour. Prayers are offered in the mosques and
in iddgahs (open grounds). Meeralam and Madannapet iddgahs
are some of the famous iddgahs in the twin cities, where
special prayers are offered during the festivals of Ramzan and
Bakrid. Thousands gather near Charminar to offer idd
prayers in Mecca Masjid and the entire area from Madina
circle to Mecca Masjid is cordoned off during the prayer time.
Muslims wear new clothes and apply itr (perfume) and soorma
on the eve of Bakrid.
Temporary markets spring up along the roadsides where
thousands of goats are brought for sale. Chanchalguda,
Charminar, Mehdipatnam and Musheerabad are some of
the hotspots where the goats are sold on the occasion of
Bakrid. The goats are priced anywhere between Rs. 500 to RS
5,000 depending on the age and weight of the animal.
The essence of Bakrid pervades throughout the day with prayers
and sacrifices.
|
