Rajasthan Hajj Welfare Society members demand cow be declared National Animal
Jaipur, May 28
Members of Rajasthan Hajj Welfare Society on Thursday demanded that the cow be declared the national animal.
Speaking with ANI, the society's General Secretary, Sheikh Haji Nizamuddin, reflected on the Quran's teaching of brotherhood and love and said that the cow should be declared the national animal to reinforce that message.
"I wish everyone on Eid al-Adha. Brotherhood and love are emphasised in the Quran. Looking at the current situation in the country, we want the cow to be declared as the national animal to send a message of brotherhood across the country," he said.
Earlier, Samajwadi Party leader ST Hasan said religious sentiments should not be politicised, asserting that the traditional sacrifice will continue, adding that Muslims should refrain from consuming cows and other protected animals.
Speaking with ANI, said that the Muslims in UP have discouraged the practice of offering namaz on roads.
"In UP, namaz is not being offered on roads for quite a few years now. People offer namaz in two shifts in Moradabad. By making a political agenda out of religious sentiments, one should not mislead the country. Traditional sacrifice will continue. However, protected animals should not be sacrificed," he said.
"Cow should be officially declared the National Animal. The cow holds deep religious significance for millions of our Hindus. For this very reason, we Muslims refrain from consuming it, so that the religious sentiments of our Hindu brothers are not hurt in any way," he added.
His remarks come as a massive gathering of devotees offered namaz at Moradabad on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi on Thursday extended heartfelt greetings on the occasion of Eid al-Adha and reflected on the significance of the festival.
"People gather in mosques to offer prayers for the well-being of all. They commemorate the tradition of sacrifice, engaging in worship and offering expressions of gratitude. Through this observance, they affirm the fundamental truth that there is but one Master of all, and that we all share a common ancestry; consequently, we are bound to live together in mutual harmony, guided by the principles of humanity and justice," he said.
Eid Al-Adha or Bakrid is a significant Islamic festival also referred to as the 'festival of sacrifice'. It is observed on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.
The date of the festival changes every year as it follows the lunar calendar, which is approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. This results in Eid moving earlier each year in the Western calendar cycle.
The festival is widely regarded as a time of joy, reflection and compassion, where people strengthen social bonds, forgive past grievances and engage in acts of charity and goodwill. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Abraham to sacrifice in obedience to God, symbolising faith and devotion.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I appreciate the sentiment behind this, but I think we need to be careful about mixing religion and national symbols. The tiger is already our national animal and represents India's wildlife heritage. Maybe we could honor the cow in another way, like a national heritage animal status?
As a Muslim, I fully support this! The Quran teaches us to live in harmony with all creation. If declaring the cow as the national animal can reduce tensions and show respect to our Hindu brothers and sisters, why not? This is the true spirit of Eid al-Adha - sacrifice and brotherhood. 🌙✨
Good move by the society, but I'm skeptical about how much impact this will have. We need more than symbolic gestures - we need real action on the ground to ensure no one's religious sentiments are hurt. Also, what about the economic aspects? Cow protection is already a sensitive issue in many states.
This is a beautiful example of how different communities can find common ground. The fact that Muslim leaders are voluntarily stepping forward to protect Hindu sentiments is heartwarming. Maybe we should focus more on such positive stories instead of the negative ones that make headlines. 🌸
While I respect the intention, I think this is missing the bigger picture. The cow is already sacred in Hinduism, and many states have laws protecting it. Making it the national animal might create more problems than solutions - what about states where beef is traditionally consumed? We need to find a middle path that respects all traditions without imposing one on the other.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.