This Muslim festival of sacrifice, Id-ul-Zuha (Arabic) or Bakrid
in India is celebrated all over the country. On this day Muslims sacrifice
a goat or Bakr (Urdu) to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim,
who willingly agreed to kill his son at the behest of God.
According to Islamic belief, to test Ibrahim's faith, Allah commanded
him to sacrifice his son Ismail. He agreed to do it but found his
paternal feelings hard to suppress. So he blind - folded himself before
putting Ismail on the altar at the mount of Mina near Mecca. When
he removed his bandage after performing the act, he saw his son standing
in front of him, alive. On the altar lay a slaughtered lamb. This
festival coincides with the Haj pilgrimage in Mecca.
Prayers are offered in the mosques and the sacrificial meat is then
distributed after the Id prayers. Special delicacies are prepared
and served among family and friends on the occasion.
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