Eid-ul-Azha being celebrated with religious fervour tomorrow

Srinagar: Eid-ul-Azha, the festival to commemorate the supreme sacrifice offered by the holy Prophet Ibrahim (AS), is being celebrated with religious fervour and traditional enthusiasm in this part of the region including Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

Thousands of animals would be sacrificed over the next two and a half days to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) submission to Allah’s will.

Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was ordered to sacrifice his beloved son prophet Ismail (AS). At the last minute, when the father’s blade was about to slit the son’s throat, a goat from heaven replaced prophet Ismail (AS).

The festival coincides with the Hajj, one of the five fundamentals of Islamic worship, as millions of Muslims perform various Manasiks, including daylong stay in Maidan-i-Arafat, stoning of the Satan (devil) at Mina and Tawwaf around the holy Ka’aba at Makkah.

Special congregational Eid prayers would be organized all over Jammu and Kashmir. At Srinagar, the biggest congregations would be held Eidgah, Asar-i-Sharif at Hazratbal, Khanqah-e-Mu’alla, Polo Ground Masjid, Ziarat Syed Sahib at Sonwar, Janab Sahib Soura, Asar-e-Sharif Kalashpora, Asar-e-Sharif Lal Bazar and most other mosques and shrines.

The Imams and clerics will deliver sermons on the occasion highlighting the sacrifices of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Prophet Ismail (AS).

Meanwhile, thousands of people thronged different markets of the Valley for preparations for the holy festival.

Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of this summer capital witnessed rush of shoppers all throughout the day. Long queues were seen outside bakery and confectionary shops. Many bakers had erected makeshift stalls on roadsides to accommodate the customers.

Apart from bakery and sweets, mutton and poultry products were in high demand with shoppers crowding around the shops.

Besides, ready-made garments, shoes, toys and bangles were also sought after items across the valley with almost all streets being clogged by the street vendors. Gift shops, were also thronged by teens to purchase gifts and greeting cards.

The heavy rush led to frequent traffic jams giving the authorities a tough time clearing the clogged roads.

Apart from shopping, buying of animals in the vast Eidgah area and other areas reached feverish pitch.