Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakra Eid) festival was celebrated in the State with religious solemnity and fervour on Monday. The festival is meant to commemorate the monumental test Prophet Ibrahim had gone through because of the command from Allah to sacrifice his dearest son Ismail. Allah was happy with his devotee successfully passing through the fiery ordeal.
He deliberately landed him in the ordeal to test the strength of his devotion to Him. What died finally was a ram and his son remained hale and hearty. The devotees sacrifice animals in memory of Prophet Ibrahim's deified sacrifice in tune with the command from God. Id prayers were followed by feasting in households and visits to houses of relatives and friends.
Namaz were offered at various Idgahs and mosques across the State. Moreover, attired in their best, Muslims, including children, attended the morning mass prayers at various Idgahs and mosques and greeted fellow human beings by exchanging pleasantries.
Police had made elaborate security arrangements in the state to avoid any untoward incident. In Dehradun, Muslims celebrated the Bakrid to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son at the behest of the Almighty's call. In Haridwar district, the faithful donned new clothes and exchanged pleasantries after offering special prayers at the Idgahs and mosques in the morning.
Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi reached Idgah at EC Road at 8.30 am and offered special prayer in Dehradun. He greeted people of the state on the occasion of Eid-ul-Zuha. The Governor said the festival signifies sacrifice, compassion and brotherhood. It enhances the feeling of love and compassion for others and builds harmony in society. Hazrat Ibrahim's sacrifice is a beckon of light for humanity as a whole, he said.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat reached the Governor's house and greeted the Governor on the occasion of Eid-ul-Zuha. Uttarakhand chief secretary Subhash Kumar and other government officers and political leaders, including RC Khulve, Dr M Prasad, Arun Dhaundiyal, Nidhi Pandey, Hemlata Dhaundiyal, Mussoorie MlA Ganesh Joshi, Congress party state chief Kishore Upadhyay, Dr S Farooq and some others, also reached the Governor's house to greet the Governor.
State Police have deployed additional police forces at sensitive places for peaceful completion of Bakra Eid festival. Additional police forces were deployed at mixed population areas and communally sensitive places in the state.
The police officers had strictly directed their sub-ordinates to ensure that disputes among the people reported from any part of the district should be dealt with promptly and ensure they are sorted out amicably. Police patrolling were also increased in the mixed population areas and sensitive places during night while the police officers were directed to monitor the assigned area effectively.