By IANS
Srinagar: Thousands of Muslims turned out Monday across the Kashmir Valley to offer Eid-ul-Zuha prayers at various Eidgahs and mosques despite the morning cold.
Large Eid gatherings were held at the Jamia Mosque in the old city area, Polo Grounds in uptown Srinagar and the Hazratbal shrine on the banks of the Dal Lake where locals wearing new clothes greeted each other with fervour and gaiety after offering prayers.
At the forefront of Eid celebrations, children burst firecrackers to announce their joy. Special prayers were offered at various places for peace, prosperity and brotherhood.
Imams leading Eid prayers asked Muslims to celebrate Eid with austerity and donate generously towards various orphanages and charitable institutions in the valley.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his father, union Minister for Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah, offered the Eid namaz at the Hazratbal shrine where elaborate arrangements of security were made to ensure incident-free prayers.
Reports of peaceful Eid gatherings came in from north Kashmir’s Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts.
Eid gatherings in the north Kashmir districts of Ganderbal, Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara also passed off peacefully.
Thousands of animals will be sacrificed here Monday afternoon to commemorate the historic sacrifice offered by Prophet Ibrahim. Legend has it that bowing to Allah’s command, Ibrahim offered his son Ismail in sacrifice. When he blindfolded himself and moved the knife on his son’s throat, Allah ordered a ram from heaven to replace Ismail.
Eid-ul-Zuha is celebrated by Muslims around the world to commemorate the great sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim.
For two days, Muslims will continue the sacrificial ritual and distribute the meat to neighbours, relatives and charitable institutions.