When pictures showing streets in Dhakha turning into rivers of blood after Bakri-Eid went viral in the media, Muslim Rashtriya Manch activists in India were observing Eid by serving grass and jaggery to cows and cutting goat-shaped cakes
Virag Pachpore
While the entire Muslim world observed Eid Ul Azha with religious fervour and austerity, the activists of Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) observed the festival of sacrifice or Quarbani in a most different way. The MRM workers in Lucknow decided not to sacrifice any animal, especially the goat, as has been the practice. Instead, they prepared a five-kg cake in shape of a goat and publicly cut it and shared with the fellow Muslims, thus, spreading the message of ‘eco-friendly’ Eid observance.
Rais Khan, convener of MRM Awadh Prant unit said they wanted to spread the message among the Muslims that Eid also can be observed with cutting and sharing the cake as we celebrate our birthdays. He said if this idea gets acceptance they would spread and encourage Muslims in other parts of the country to follow the suit. Co-convener of MRM Hasan Kausar said the festival of Bakri-Eid gives the message of humanity. We can sacrifice even our children, but it is not justifiable to kill an animal and consume its flesh.
Bakri-Eid or Eid Ul Azha symbolises sacrifice. This is one of the major festivals of Muslims world over, which is celebrated after a gap of almost 70 days after the holy month of Ramadan. According to Islamic tradition, Prophet Ibrahim was supposed to offer his most dear thing to the Allah. He loved his son Ismail very much and decided to sacrifice him at the altar. He was about to sacrifice him, then Allah stopped him from doing so. That is the beginning of this festival. As the tradition goes, the Muslims offer any animal as symbol of their dedication and sacrifice to the Allah.
In Baitul, Madhya Pradesh, the MRM activists visited a Gaushala and offered grass and gur (jaggery) to the cows there. Under the auspices of Gau Raksha Prakoshth of MRM the activists visited Triveni Gaushala in Jhagadia and served the cows with grass and gur. Sharik Khan, in charge of Gauraksha Prakoshth of Madhya Bharat Prant, said Islam never permits hurting anybody’s sentiments. Since cow is revered by Hindus, she should not be sacrificed at all. He said when there is a ban on cow slaughter in Madhya Pradesh and other states, killing of cow should not be done even stealthily as Islam prohibits theft and illegal acts.
Farooq Ahmad, member of MRM State executive committee, said they would not sacrifice cows on Bakarid but henceforth will serve and protect them. He said according to Islam, cow milk is good for health while beef is injurious to health of human beings. He said cow protection is necessary for maintaining communal harmony, fraternity, secularism, unity and integrity and honouring the sentiments of both the communities. On this occasion, MRM activists Sarfuddin Khan, Jamaluddin, Noor Khan, Aslam Kazi, Firoz Khan, Anurag Sitonke, Faizan Ali, Saeed Baba, Javed Khan and many others were present.
This is probably for the first time in India that the Muslims are coming forward on their own and appealing for stopping cow slaughter and campaigning against beef consuming. The MRM has been working in this direction since last one and a half decade. The MRM had organised a national conference of Muslim Gausevaks last year at Mewat in Haryana where nearly 10,000 Muslims engaged in running gaushalas, rearing and protecting cows participated. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal and MRM patron Indresh Kumar had addressed the massive gathering then. Some prominent gausevaks were also felicitated by them.
