Eid ul Adha or the "Day of Feast of the
Scarifice" is one of the two Eid Festivals celebrated by the Muslims world
over. As the month of Zilhajj approaches Muslims prepare
themselves for Hajj, the pilgrimage by Muslims annually to Mecca, Saudia Arabia
where they perform series of Islamic rituals. The Muslims celebrate Eid ul Adha
from 10th-12th Zilhajj, after performing Hajj. Eid ul
Adha is a symbol of obedience,
devotion submission, joy, fervor and sharing. It is a day to remember the Prophet Ibrahim's (A.S)
obedience to scarifice his most loveble and only asset, his son Prophet Ismail
(A.S) in the name of Allah almighty. His grand act of Qurbani (Sacrifice)
demonstrates total submission to Allah's will and to his divine command.
Eid-ul-Adha teaches a lesson of
brotherhood, charity and scarifice for the entire mankind. This holy occasion brings along with it new hope for starved and
poors, who expect to have a piece of meat which is rare and a luxury for them.
Street hawkers and animal sellars also seem jubilent with the thought to earn
profit as the Eid shopping gains momentum despite inflation and high prices.
The bazaars seem to glare with henna, cosmetics, jewellary, garments etc. All common
commodities and household goods are overcharged than their usual price rates.
In every cattle mandi, the price of sacrificial animals soars to sky that buying
cattle for Qurbani are unaffordable for the mediocre middle class. Local public
is disappointed with the present price hike of sacrificial animals. Lightweight sheep or goat on
sale for Rs 22,000 to Rs 27,000, medium-sized for Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000, and
heavyweight animals cost at least Rs 40,000. Prices of bulls and cows are also very high. The prices of healthy cows and bulls
are over Rs 100,000 and medium-sized
bull or cow is being sold at Rs 50,000 to 75000 which are out of reach for a common man, while the bigger animals at Rs 80,000 to Rs
200,000 have become a mere dream for the
layman.
With only few days left in Eid-ul-Adha,
the majority of the people are still empty handed and find themselve helpless
in fullfillment of their religious obligation. Some are waiting for a decline
in the prices and looking forward to buy animals a day before or within Eid
days. Many people have already decided to or go for a collective sacrifice. The
poor citizens are complaining the government for not putting any price
regulation in the animal market and demand a practicable policy over this
matter. The animal traders have their own logic
of charging more than the previous year because of high feed, transport costs
and lack of sufficient market facilities. With such depressing atmosphere, the colors and joys of Eid-ul-Adha seem dull and
faded for the deploring local public. Only the Elites can enjoy the true
happiness of this religious festive: Qurbani!
