Eid al-Adha being celebrated with religious fervor, gaiety

SRINAGAR — Eid al-Adha will be observed with religious fervour across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday as Muslims throughout the world offer animal sacrifices during the festival, also called Bakr Eid, to commemorate the sacrifice offered by Prophet Abraham.

This year there would be no congregational Eid prayers in revered shrine of Hazratbal, historic Jamia Masjid here besides other major shrines as government has decided the situation was not good enough to allow the gathering amid COVID-19.

This would be the fourth Eid in a row which will be celebrated amid COVID-19 shadow. This year Eid-ul-Fitr was also observed amid the pandemic. Last year, the festivals also remained subdued due to the Covid pandemic. In fact, it is fifth Eid festival which will be observed in a quiet manner in Jammu and Kashmir as people remained confined to homes amid massive security and communication clampdown due to revocation of Article 370 by the Centre on August 5, 2019.

Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the Islamic calendar’s last month, Dhu al-Hijjah. Muslims celebrate the Eid to commemorate Prophet Abraham’s (AS) willingness to follow Allah’s command to sacrifice his son Prophet Ismael (AS).

The celebration of Eid al-Adha this year would be impacted with no congregational prayers and social gathering.

Traditionally, Muslims offer Eid congregational prayers in open spaces like grounds, commonly known as Eidgah. There would hardly be any hug to extend greetings as would be done in normal times after Eid special prayers are over.

Other than the contemporary surreal times, thousands of people would attend Eid prayers in Eidgah, mosques and shrines across Jammu and Kashmir. The biggest gathering would be seen at Eidgah in Downtown Srinagar and at Hazratbal Shrine along the banks of Dal Lake.

In run up to the festival, markets saw some buzz with mutton, chicken and bakery shops frequented by customers along with shops dealing with readymade garments and shoes. However, there was feverish shopping as would be associated with normal times.