HT Bureau
DIPHU, May 28: Muslims in Diphu town joined the global Islamic community in celebrating Eid-ul-Adha with prayers, charity and community gatherings on Thursday, while voluntarily refraining from cow sacrifice this year following an appeal by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Instead of cows, devotees offered goats and sheep during the festival, popularly known as the festival of sacrifice, in consideration of communal harmony and the sentiments of other communities.
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Eid-ul-Adha commemorates the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim, who, according to Islamic belief, was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command before a ram was provided in his place.
The festival is observed on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar.
Special Eid prayers were offered at Diphu Zame Masjid from 8:30 am, where Alhaj Maulana Giasuddin Qasimi led the congregation and prayed for peace and harmony in the region.
According to mosque committee member Nurul Islam, around 2,500 devotees attended the prayers.
A day before Eid, the mosque committee had formally announced that the Muslim community in Diphu would voluntarily avoid cow sacrifice in response to the State government’s appeal.
Retired teacher and social activist Maza Harul Islam said the decision was taken to respect the sentiments of other religious communities and preserve communal harmony.
He stated that the Muslim community in Karbi Anglong has always coexisted peacefully with other communities by respecting their traditions and cultural practices and would continue to uphold that spirit.
He also noted that the community has consistently complied with government directives, including hoisting the national flag at religious institutions on Republic Day and Independence Day.
Nurul Islam, secretary of the burial ground committee of the mosque, reiterated that the community had honoured the Chief Minister’s appeal by refraining from cow sacrifice and instead choosing goats and sheep for the ritual sacrifice.
