By Abdul Basith, TwoCircles.net,
Kozhikode: This time Muslims in Kerala were blessed with Bakrid twice in a day, as it coincided with Friday- the day of Jumu’ah – hailed by many as poor man’s Hajj.
In most other parts of the country Eid-ul-Adha was celebrated on Saturday.
As usual Eid sermons and prayers were held at Mosques and specially set Eid-gahs. This time most among the Muslim Mahal Jama’at Imams took care to organise the Eid Prayer early by around 8, 8:15 AM because believers had to come back to the Masjid for the Jumu’ah prayers by around noon.
Eid-Gah at Changaramkulam, MVM school ground, EVM Muhammed Ameen leading the prayers,[Photo Courtesy: Shakkir MM]
Besides it was a hectic schedule for the believers as after the Eid prayer and sermon they had to take part in the Qabr Ziyarat [visiting the graves of their dear ones] and take part in the Qurbani as well, just before getting back for Jumu’ah. It was only after Jumu’ah prayers they were able to visit their relatives and foreseeing this shortage in time the Imams managed to finish off the prayers early by being punctual on the proposed time and by shortening the time taken for mass – prayers [Dua’s were people replies with Ameen to the Imams prayers in Arabic].
Indian Union Muslim League President and spiritual leader of Mappila Muslims, Panakkad Syid Hyderali Shihab Thangal, in his Bakrid message urged the believers to be vigilant against the evil designs of people among different communities, who are creating strife’s among the society to secure their narrow goals.
Palayam Imam Jamaludheen Mankada who led prayers at Thiruvanathapuram Chandrashekharan Nair stadium emphasised on the need of harmonious existence with other religious communities in the state. “Some vested interests have been campaigning like ‘Islam is supposed to oppose other religious beliefs,’ we are obliged to resist such tendencies,” he said.
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind [JIH] Kerala Ameer T Arifali said that Eid-ul-Adha and Hajj are meant to carry out a spiritual resistance against all sought of walls erected to separate people. Prophet Ibrahim’s message through his life has at most relevance in the present day scenario where there are intentional attempts to divide people on the basis of caste and religion, Bakrid should be celebrated by expressing solidarity with all those people, whose human rights and existence are questioned, said Arifali.
Qateeb giving Eid-sermon at Kokkale Juma Masjid, a Sunni Masjid at Thrissur, Hassan Saqafi leading the prayers.
Children and the youth were all elated, wearing the latest trend costumes in different colours and most were found brand conscious in their selections. Most including the middle aged preferred to wear ready made clothes and gents tailors found it tough to find customers. The old resorted to white, light tones like cream, sky blue or grey along with their routine white mundu.
Most households found it apt to prepare Payasam [Kerala style sweet porridge] Biriyani dishes using chicken, fish or mutton because they were all aware of the mammoth amount of Beef [‘Qurbani’ meat] which will be reaching their homes in the evening by around 4:00 PM. Fish unlike earlier times was found cheap compared to mutton and people who preferred a change from the meat dishes went for it.