May Eid al-Adha deepen spirit of brotherhood, happiness in society: PM Modi
New Delhi, May 28
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday extended Eid al-Adha greetings to the countrymen and prayed for happiness and good health in society.
"Eid ul-Adha greetings! May this occasion deepen the spirit of brotherhood and happiness in our society. Praying for everyone's success and good health," PM Modi said in a post on X.
Bakrid, also known as Eid al-Adha, is being celebrated with deep religious fervour and enthusiasm across the country on Thursday, as thousands of devotees gathered at mosques and Eidgahs from early morning to offer special prayers and mark one of the most significant festivals in Islam.
Large congregations of worshippers were witnessed at several places across the country, with people dressed in traditional attire participating in prayers and exchanging greetings with family members, friends, and neighbours.
Worshippers said the festival carries a message of "brotherhood, communal harmony, and peaceful coexistence", while also reminding people about compassion, sacrifice, and charity.
Authorities made elaborate security arrangements in several cities to ensure that celebrations passed off peacefully and law and order were maintained during the festivities.
Eid al-Adha, widely known as Bakrid in India, holds immense religious significance for Muslims across the world. The festival commemorates the devotion and sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to God's command. The occasion symbolises unwavering faith, obedience to God, gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, sacrifice, and charity.
Families gathered to celebrate the festival with prayers, festive meals, and acts of kindness, while many people also distributed food and extended help to the underprivileged as part of the spirit of the occasion.
While Bakrid was celebrated in most parts of India on Thursday, some regions, including parts of Jammu and Kashmir, observed the festival on Wednesday.
As with other Islamic festivals, the date of Eid al-Adha depends on the sighting of the crescent moon.
This year, religious authorities in several parts of India confirmed that the Dhul-Hijjah crescent moon was not sighted on the expected evening. As a result, the beginning of the Islamic month shifted by a day, leading to Bakrid being celebrated on May 28 in most states across the country.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I'm a Westerner living in Delhi, and I love how India celebrates festivals with such fervour. The security arrangements show how seriously the government takes communal harmony. Bakrid Mubarak to everyone! 🎉
Good to see the PM's message, but I hope the brotherhood extends beyond just festival greetings. We need genuine efforts towards communal harmony all year round, not just during Eid or Diwali. Just my two paise. 🤔
Beautiful message from PM Modi! The spirit of sacrifice and charity in Eid al-Adha is a lesson for all of us. My family and I distributed food to the underprivileged yesterday. This is what makes India special - we celebrate together, we help together. 🇮🇳✨
Eid Mubarak to all! I remember as a child, my Muslim neighbours would share biryani with us, and we'd exchange sweets during Diwali. That's the real India - where festivals are a time for bonding. PM Modi's message captures that perfectly. 🌙🕌
I'm an expat in Mumbai, and I find it fascinating how seamlessly India blends different faiths. PM Modi's inclusive greetings are a great example of leadership. Wishing peace and joy to all celebrating Bakrid! 🕊️
S We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.