Muslim groups issue Bakrid guidelines in UP
LUCKNOW: Muslim organisations in Uttar Pradesh have for the first time asked community members to follow a set of guidelines during next month’s Bakrid, aiming to avoid any controversy over the sensitive issue of animal sacrifice in the BJP-ruled state.
Eid al-Adha or the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’ — popularly called Bakrid — will be celebrated on September 2 by the state’s Muslims, who form an estimated 19% of UP’s 20-crore population.
After winning an overwhelming mandate earlier this year, the BJP government led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath has clamped down on slaughter of cows. Self-styled vigilante groups have also attacked people they accuse of cow slaughter for consuming beef.
Over the past few days Muslim organisations have published advertisements in Urdu newspapers asking community members to avoid confrontation over animal sacrifice.
The Jamiat-Ulema-e-Hind that claims to be country’s largest Muslim organisation has urged Muslims not to offer sacrifice of “white animal”, widely understood as cow. “Kisi bhi halat main safed janwar ki qurbani na karein (under no circumstances should you sacrifice white animal),” read the appeal.
The RSS-backed Muslim Rashtriya Manch has even questioned the very practice of ‘qurbani’.
A 40-page book by Iran-based top Shia cleric Sayyed Ali Hosseini Sistani, commonly known as Ayatollah Sistani, answering the commonly asked questions on sacrifice is in great demand among the Shias.
“Those who say animal sacrifice is prohibited don’t know their religion. But, it’s only mandatory during Haj. Other than that it’s linked to one’s wealth,” said noted Islamic scholar Masoodul Hasan.
Additional director general of police (law and order) Anand Kumar said instructions for strict vigil during the festival have been issued.
The police’s social media cell is also keeping a watch to prevent any ‘mischief’ through social networking sites.