PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
The Muslim community celebrated Eid-ul-Adha peacefully amid Eid prayers offered at 81 Eidgahs spread across Dehradun district on Thursday. Special prayers were also offered for peace, prosperity and well-being of the country. People greeted one another and exchanged Eid wishes warmly.
Addressing a festival congregation, the Shahar Qazi, Mufti Hashim Ahmad Qasmi gave a message of love, peace and brotherhood. “Eid-ul-Adha is not only a festival of sacrifice but also gives the message of humanity, communal harmony and it exhorts the devout to help one another. Appealing to all communities, he said that the people should stay away from forces out to spread hatred and instead strengthen love, unity and harmony.
Meanwhile, Doon police made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that the festival was celebrated in a safe and peaceful atmosphere. Acting on the instruction of Dehradun senior superintendent of police Pramendra Dobal, the police department deployed additional police personnel in sensitive areas and places with mixed populations to maintain law and order.
Police teams remained particularly vigilant around mosque premises and other religious places throughout the day. Officers said that they have kept a close watch on anti-social elements to avert any untoward incident which could mar the festive spirit of the day. “The festival passed off peacefully across the district thanks to proper planning and unflagging vigilance,” the SSP said.
Muslim activists demand cow be declared national animal after Eid prayers
DEHRADUN: After offering Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the Eidgah, members of the Muslim Seva Sangathan led by its vice-president Aqib Qureshi demanded cows be declared the national animal. Holding placards in their hands, they stressed that the spirit of Islam fosters communal harmony and brotherhood. “We espouse the cause of animal protection,” Qureshi said while addressing the gathering.
Stating that the cow is an important symbol of Indian culture, civilization and rural economy, he said that crores of people in the country revere the cow. “We respect this sentiment too,” he declared. “Not just this, we urge the government to act strongly for cow protection. It owes to the government to provide enough welfare for the bovine species. We support this cause,” he said.
