Mangaluru: The coastal city celebrated Bakrid, marking a new beginning on September 24. Members of the Muslim fraternity arrived at various mosques, most of them attired in their immaculate white Kurta-pyjamas and wearing traditional headgears, and offered prayers.
Thousands of Muslim brethren along with Muslim leaders and politicians gathered at the Idgah mosque to offer prayers.
According to Islamic scholars, the Bakrid which is also known as Eid-ul-Adha, is a festival of sacrifice. One of the greatest sacrifices that the world could see was the sacrifice of one’s own progeny. This great sacrifice was offered by a great Muslim devotee and prophet Ibrahim who was called upon by Allah the Great to carry out this sacrifice.
Ibrahim had sacrificed his son Ismail on the altar at Mount Mina near Mecca. After the sacrifice, he opens his eyes and finds his son alive and, instead, a goat was lying dead. This miracle happened in front of thousands of devotees that day which sustained that Allah was protecting true devotees.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader said, “Bakrid is the festival of sacrifice, patience, harmony, love and unity. We are celebrating this festival with unity. Let all the people in the district live in peace, self respect and harmony. Let this festival bring peace, harmony and brotherhood in the society and in the country.” He further said that today education, poverty or corruption is not the problem, but intolerance towards other religions. “We are unable to understand the people of other religions. We fight in the name of religion. There is no cure until and unless we change our mindset. We need to respect people of other religions and accept them as our own brothers and sisters, then only Bakrid will have a real meaning. The message of every festival is peace and harmony. We have to work for the betterment of the society by living in peace and allowing others to live in peace and harmony.”
Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, Fr Denzil said, “There is a good rapport between Christians and Muslims. We all have faith in God, and Bakrid means great sacrifice. When we celebrate this festival, let us all pause for a while and think about humanity. We need to be humans first; in our lives, we have to give priority to humanity. We, all Christians, Hindus, Muslims or any other religion, belong to one God. We are humans first and are all created by one God. We pray in different ways to the one and only God. God is great and let God Bless each one of us.”
Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim speaking to Mangalorean.com said that this festival of sacrifice brings peace and unity in the society and all the people in the district should live in harmony and brotherhood. He wished the entire district a very happy Eid-ul-Adha.
MLA J R Lobo speaking on the occasion said that the feast of Bakrid, also called as the festival of sacrifice, brings peace and harmony in the society. He wished all the Muslim brethren a very happy Bakrid. “Let all pray for good rain to the district.” He further said, “There are some anti social elements who are trying to spoil the peace in the society. Let us work hand in hand and pray for such people, so that they are enlightened and work towards peace. Let us all live in peace and brotherhood.”
District minister in-charge, Ramanath Rai said, “With love, we can win the world but with anger, we will destroy everything. Let all love one another keeping aside caste, creed and religion. Our country has unity in diversity and people from all walks of life live here. Let Allah bless everyone to live in peace and harmony forgetting discrimination of caste and creed.”
Police commissioner S Murugan wished the entire Muslim community and said that the Muslim Community has co-operated well to maintained law and order.
Prof M V Puranik said, “Bakrid is the festival of sacrifice, brotherhood and harmony. We are all one and created by one God. God has created this beautiful world and it is our duty to make this world a better place to live in, but there are some anti-social elements who try to divide us in the name of religion. Hindus, Christians and Muslims are the creation of one God, but why are we unable to live with unity? We need to think over it and try hard to bring back peace, harmony and brotherhood in our country so that in the coming days we can live in harmony and brotherhood and make this world a better place to live in. Let the Almighty God bless us all and make us the channels to bring peace and brotherhood.”
Ahmed Taqwa Musliyar, Mohammed Y Kunhi, Abdulla Kunhi, Fr Swebert D’Silva, Fr Francis Almieda and others were also present.
