Srinagar: Amid apprehensions of strict curfew and telecommunication suspension on Eid-Ul-Azha, when united Hurriyat has called for a mass-march to UNMOGIP office here on September 13, people of restive Kashmir are in a fix over how to observe Qurbani of sacrificial animals on the big day.
For Nasir Khan, who would otherwise buy the sacrificial animal at least a week ahead of the Muslim festival, this time he has been unable to decide on how to manage the religious obligation. With mere four days left to Eid, he is yet to buy any sheep.
“Given the previous experience, there’s likelihood that there will be curfew while mobile phones won’t operate. In the given conditions how will one manage to bring home butcher and subsequently distribute the meat?” he discusses with his fellow Musalees at a Masjid here.
While some suggest that they should buy the sheep and go for sacrifice at their respective homes, others suggest it would be better to get it done through some religious seminaries, who over the years offer such sacrificial services, whereby the prospective candidate makes the payment and the sacrifice is offered on his or her behalf.
“I think this time I will also opt for the same through Ashraful Uloom Hyder Pora but let’s first wait and watch maybe we can do it at home Insha Allah,” says Nasir.
Amid chronic agitation, which erupted in the wake of killing of militant commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani and his two associates on July 8, which was incidentally the third day of previous Eid, Kashmir has been witnessing its worst-ever humanitarian crises. While atleast 75 people were killed, over 10,000 have been wounded in the government action against street protests.
All this has left people worried about preparedness for the upcoming festival. “Last year on Eid Ul Azha there was no such crises, still the government put the Valley under siege while the mobile and internet services were snapped, so the strictness this year is obviously palpable,” said Showkat Ahmed of Shopian.
On the other hand, there’s largely a consensus among Islamic scholars and the pro-freedom leadership that Qurbani cannot be avoided in the prevalent circumstances.
In his recent handout, Kashmir’s head priest and incarcerated senior separatist leader Mirwaiz Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, said as per the decision of the unified resistance leadership, keeping the ongoing situation in mind, the hides of sacrificial animals should be given to the local Bait-ul-Maal.
On the other hand, many of the prominent civil society faces like Dr FA Farooq Kaloo have been using social media platforms like Facebook to inform people that Qurbani cannot be avoided.
“Perform your Qurbani. Don't be deceptive; neither for yourself nor for Ummah. There is a great confusion in offering Qurbani in current circumstances. Some think if we pay the same amount to those who are needy, that is better than to offer Qurbani. While as there is lot of difference between Qurbani and paying charity… Our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW did not eat Sadaqah, instead ate the meat of Qurbani,” he explained. Such inspirational posts are being widely shared.
Meanwhile a senior police official said the government was yet decide on how to offer mobility to the people for Eid. While he didn’t rule our strict restrictions, he remained tight-lipped over public movement for Eid prayers and Qurbani. “This is a big issue before us,” the official admitted.
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