Eid-ul-Azha: Islamic Centre calls for peaceful animal sacrifice, no social media posts

Lucknow: Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the Islamic Centre of India has issued a detailed advisory regarding the observance of animal sacrifice. The advisory, released by the Centre's chairman, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, on Monday, urged Muslims to carry out sacrificial practices within the boundaries of the law and with due regard to public health and decorum.

According to the Islamic calendar, Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, and the sacrificial rituals can be performed on June 7, 8, and 9, the Maulana informed.

“Like always, sacrifice of only those animals should take place on which there are no bans,” he said. He also appealed to the community to strictly avoid sacrificing animals in open spaces, such as bylanes, roadsides, or other public places, and to ensure cleanliness at the site of sacrifice.

The Maulana further advised that animal remains should not be discarded on roads or public areas, and should instead be disposed of using the municipal corporation’s dustbins.

He added, “The blood of the sacrificed animals should not be allowed to flow into drains, as this could offend the religious sentiments of others and is harmful to public health. Instead, the blood should be buried in soil, where it can decompose naturally and serve as manure for plants.”

Maulana Khalid Rasheed also emphasised the importance of properly packaging the meat and donating one-third of it to the poor and needy, as per Islamic teachings.

In addition, he strongly discouraged taking photographs or videos during the act of sacrifice or sharing them on social media, stating that such actions were inappropriate and disrespectful.

Concluding the advisory, he urged the community to pray for peace in the country and for the safety of the armed forces personnel guarding India’s borders.

With PTI inputs