Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 12: Eid-ul-Adha, one of the two holiest festivals of Muslims, is being celebrated tomorrow across the State.
Soon after offering mandatory Eid prayers, the Muslims perform sacrifices of animals to please Almighty as was done by Prophet Abraham (AS) by obeying Allah’s command to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ismail (AS), centuries ago before the arrival of Jesus Christ. The Eid-ul-Adha falls on 10th Zul-Hajj – the last month of Islamic lunar calendar.
Contrary to the past practice, the Eid is being celebrated with utmost austerity and simplicity in Kashmir valley in the wake of ongoing turmoil that resulted in 76 deaths of civilians and two police men and injuries to over 13,000 since July 8 when militant commander Burhan Wani and his two associates were killed.
There was no enthusiasm among majority of Valley residents ahead of the Eid and the festive environment was completely missing with all shops and commercial establishments across the region shut even on the eve of the Eid, also called ‘Arfa’. Although the people were out on streets but they were mostly seen buying sacrificial animals and going from one place to another as shops were closed due to shutdown. However, in the evening shops opened in some parts of Srinagar.
Amid tensions, uncertainty engulfed entire region as residents were skeptical about major congregations that usually take place in city and other townships in the wake of separatists’ call for March towards United Nations Office in Srinagar after Eid prayers. The Government won’t allow any major congregation in open grounds and mosques in view of apprehensions of large scale violence.
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