THE FESTIVAL OF UNITY,SACRIFICE AND LOVE

06.11.2011

ALLAHU AKBAR!

Dear Friends,

A Pleasant and lovely Good Morning! The festival of unity,sacrifice and love is on Today, 6th November,Monday.

Eid Mubarak!Salam Alaikum!

The day is meant for expressing heartfelt thanks to The Almighty for giving us a blessed life !The auspicious occasion is all about sacrifices.Id-ul-Azha or Eid al-Adha, are basically Arabic words, which can be translated as 'the joy of feast of sacrifice'.

Bakrid, popularly known as Id-ul-Zuha, is an important religious festival of Muslims observed once in a year to commemorate Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) who willingly agreed to immolate his son Ishmael near Mecca, symbolically as an act of respect and obedience to gratify God ahead of God's intervention to provide him with a goat or Bakr (Urdu) to immolate as a substitute. Bakrid is observed in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah (the twelfth and last month of the Islamic calendar) by offering special prayers and exchanging gifts. Muslims in India celebrate Bakrid with great fervor based on the Islamic calendar or lunar calendar.

The festivity, extensively known as the 'feast of sacrifice' or 'Greater Eid' celebrates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his own son to please God and also completion of Haj by the pilgrims asking God for forgiveness.

Merry making of Bakrid kicks off with a Wajib (a religious duty) and is followed by a religious Khutbah (a religious public sermon). Muslims on this special day dress themselves in their finest clothes and visit Eidgah or Mosque to offer Eid prayer for the well-being of their dear ones and peace.

On this day Muslims sacrifice a goat or bakr[Urdu]to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim,who willingly agreed to kill his son a

t the behest of God.it is a reminder of Prophet Ibrahim's readiness to sacrifice his son for God's sake.it also marks the completion of Haj[pilgrimage to Mecca].

It happens to be approximately seventy days after the end of the month of Ramadan.
On this day,special 'Dua'is recited by thousands of Muslims for peace and prosperity.the day also coincides with the day the holy Quran was declared complete.
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 this happy occasion.

Greeting one another with warm Bakrid wishes and preparation of special traditional dishes is considered as a part of this grand celebration.

It is atime of family get togethers.
Allahu Akbar which means God is Great will eb echoed in all Musilm houses.early morning they rise up and after having bath,all of them will gather in mosques where the Imam recites prayers and gives taks on how to go on with the commandments of God and lead a holy life like Ibrahim.Muslims prepare mouth watering meals,visit the dear and near ones,cracking jokes,laughing wholeheartedly,enjoy dancing and singing.
It is atime of family get togethers.
Allahu Akbar which means God is Great will the festival on -Saturday.
Bakrid is a festival of great rejoice.exchange f greetings and gifts make people excited.the festival of sacrifice is celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in India.giving n receiving gifts make us so excited!
promoting brotherhood and affection to the fellow people and showing the gratitude towards God that is what all Muslim celebrations bring about.
on this occasion of celebrations,I remember,my colleague, Rasheeda, her enthusiasm,her lively spirits,the energy filled dances n her creativity,her long silky hair,the pink rose on her hair,the sweet smile n I do think about her often who is no more with us today.she had left us on one 27th,November years before.it was an untimely departure of a wonderful person from her family n friends.


It's Anu signing off...................

when the females of Kerala are busy

putting mehandi now,the previous night,I just want to tell you I love putting mehandi on my hands.it is so nice to be with the large number of a joint family singing and putting mehandi ,being in high spirits singing the special muslim songs.............

I miss Fathima,my school friend who always smells Athar and whose laughter still echoes in my ears!Fathima,where are you?

wishing you a wonderful BAKRID and to celebrate the festival in full spirits,
requesting you to cause a smile on the face of the less fortunate,
reminding you to share your happiness with the people of neighbourhood,

Anu loves you dil se.............