Maintaining communal harmony on Baqr-Eid; Hyd Police warn cow vigilantes
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) appealed to Muslims to ensure that their actions do not harm others. It also requested to take care of cleanliness and maintain peace and harmony.
By: Nabila Mulla, Student of Journalism, Telangana Mahila Vishwavidyalayam, Koti
As Muslims are all set to celebrate Bakrid, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Hyderabad City Police and NGOs are focusing on maintaining communal harmony. They have given a few advices and suggestions to celebrate Bakrid without causing inconvenience to others.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) appealed to Muslims to ensure that their actions do not harm others. It also requested to take care of cleanliness and maintain peace and harmony.
The board General Secretary Khalid Saifullah Rahmani said that it is the responsibility of every one to abide by law and protect the society. “Throwing filthy parts of the animal on the road and in settlements is against the Shariah, the Islamic Law,” he said.
Along with this, an NGO asked people to avoid filming and sharing photos and videos of the act of Qurbani on social media platforms, like WhatsApp, Facebok, Instagram, Twitter, etc. It also appealed to soften the loudspeaker sounds for Azaan and Khutba to avoid inconvenience to public, particularly in areas with mixed population.
Meanwhile, the General Secretary of Amoomat Society and social activist, Khalida Parveen, told Munsif that due to the monsoon season, maintaining extra hygiene is important. She requested Muslims to wrap and dispose the waste carefully. She also suggested people to run sanitation drives in their respective areas after the Qurbani is over and reminded them to distribute 1/3rd of the sacrificial meat to the poor.
On the other hand, Hyderabad police warned cow vigilantes not to take law into their hands ahead of Bakrid. Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand asked animal activists and Hindu organizations not to chase vehicles carrying cattle for sacrifice.
During a meeting, on July 6, the Commissioner said, “No one will take law into their hands. Any scuffles between the groups can affect communal harmony.”
According to sources, senior police officials and representatives of organizations like Love for Cow, Telangana Goshala, Cow Gyan Foundation, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal and others attended the meeting.
The meeting apprised the attendees of the stringent measures taken up by the city police to stop the illegal transport and slaughter. Instructions were given to the officers to take firm action against communal offenders.
According to police, representatives of all organizations agreed that selling of aged animals has to be addressed at the grass-root level. Animal activists also suggested that a separate wing for Animal Welfare has to be instituted under the government. Officers assured participants that their requests and suggestions will be considered.
Telangana has seen several instances of cow vigilantism in the past. Recently, some men claiming to be gau rakshaks stopped a vehicle transporting cattle near Karmanghat in Hyderabad, which led to clashes.
In 2021, AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, on the eve of Bakrid, urged Telangana police to stop harassment of cattle traders and transporters by cow vigilantes.
Significance of Baqr-Eid:
Eid-Ul-Adha, better known as Bakrid or Baqr-Eid, is one of the two festivals celebrated by Muslims. It honors the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah’s command.
On this day, Muslims visit mosques to offer prayer for peace and prosperity. They also sacrifice animals, which are known as Qurbani, and distribute them among the poor, as well as their relatives and neighbors.
The festival also marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to the holy town of Mecca. The festivities last for two to three days. The celebrations include sacrificing, praying, getting together, feasting, giving charity and giving gifts to each other.
When is Bakrid celebrated?
According to the Islamic Lunar calendar, Eid-Ul-Adha is observed on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah. The dates depend on the sighting of the moon every year, it will be observed on July 10 this year.
