Vijayawada: The stage is set for celebrations marking Eid-ul-Adha, commonly known as Bakrid festival, in Andhra Pradesh on June 29. The events will be marked by gaiety and devotion.
The prices of rams, sheep and goats have risen this year, putting an extra financial burden on the people who give Qurbani.
Online sales of sheep, rams and goats gained prominence this year. Sellers are putting the photos of animals with details like weight, rate, variety and location address.
Also, in tune with the changing times, many of the faithful have commissioned the services of firms offering the Qurbani service, wherein one has to pay a certain amount. From sacrificing the animal, to cleaning, piecing and packing the meat, the company takes care of all work except distribution.
Muslim Joint Action convener Shaik Muneer said Bakrid Namaz will be performed at 7.30am at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in Vijayawada, after an Islamic discourse and Dua. Similarly, Barkrid Namaz will be held in Eidgahs and mosques across the 26 districts in AP from 7am to 10am. The faithful can turn up as per their convenience.
The local Eidgah committees and minority leaders made all arrangements for the peaceful conduct of Bakrid Namaz. Local MLAs, MPs and MLCs would also join the Bakrid prayers in Vijayawada, Guntur, Machilipatnam and other cities across AP.
Islamic scholars said the festival is celebrated on the 10th day of the Islamic calendar month of Dhul Hijjah, which is also the last month of the calendar year. Animal sacrifice can be done for three days.
Imam Altafali Raza said that on Bakrid, Muslims sacrifice sheep or cattle as a practice and divide the meat into three equal parts. While one part is distributed among friends, acquaintances and relatives, another part is for the poor and the destitute and the third part they keep for themselves. Animal sacrifice will be held on Bakrid day and for the next two days.
Meanwhile, sheep traders from different districts of AP, Maharashtra, Telangana and Karnataka were selling the livestock in Vijayawada, Guntur, Eluru, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam and all other important centres.
In Vijayawada, the one-town was full with sheep traders and purchasers but people are upset over the rise in prices this year. Sheep trader, Sk Karimulla said, “A sheep yielding around 12kg of meat is sold for ₹15,000 to ₹18,000. Usually people purchase a sheep weighing between 11kg and 14kg for Qurbani.”
“The prices increased due to the hike in transportation charges and fodder costs. Wealthy families are purchasing big rams priced between ₹20,000 and ₹50,000 each.”
