Budgam, May 27 (IANS) Eid-ul-Adha was celebrated with religious fervour across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, as thousands of worshippers gathered at mosques and Eidgahs to offer prayers and spread the message of brotherhood, communal harmony, and peaceful coexistence.

Large congregations were witnessed at several places across the Union Territory, including Jammu, Budgam, Banihal, Shopian, and Kupwara.

In Budgam, Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian President, Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi Al-Safavi, said that large gatherings offered Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the Markazi Imambada and prayed for peace and prosperity in the region.

Extending greetings to the Islamic world on the occasion, he said, “Along with humanity across the world, I extend my respectful greetings to the Islamic community on this blessed day. Today is a day that teaches us the lesson of compassion, sacrifice, and humanity.”

In Jammu, thousands of devotees gathered at Eidgah Jammu to offer Eid prayers. Worshippers highlighted the importance of communal harmony and peaceful coexistence on the occasion.

A local resident said, “On the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Muslims. I pray to Allah that Eid continues to bring happiness every year and that we all live together with love, peace, and affection.”

Sunni Islamic scholar and Shahi Imam of Jamia Masjid Khadike Talab, Mufti Inayatullah Qasmi, also extended Eid greetings to the people. He said, “Eid celebrations are taking place across Jammu and Kashmir. Prayers are being offered everywhere, and we pray that Allah bless everyone with happiness, peace, good health, relief, and prosperity.”

Meanwhile, people in Banihal also offered Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the local Eidgah. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) MLA from Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen, extended Eid greetings to the people of the Union Territory and prayed for peace and progress in the region.

Thousands of people attended Eid prayers in Shopian, while prayers were also offered peacefully at Jamia Masjid in Kupwara district.

Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Bakrid, is one of the most significant festivals in Islam. The festival commemorates the devotion and sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The occasion symbolises faith, obedience to God, compassion, gratitude, sacrifice, forgiveness of sins, and charity, with families coming together for prayers, festive meals, and acts of kindness.

While Eid-ul-Adha is being celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir on May 27, most other states across India will observe the festival on May 28.

The difference in dates is due to regional Moon-sighting practices followed in different parts of the country.

The Bakrid holiday date was revised after religious bodies announced that the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah had not been sighted earlier.

Following the announcement, several institutions updated their schedules. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) announced that Central Government offices in Delhi and New Delhi would remain closed on May 28 instead of May 27.

The Supreme Court also revised its holiday calendar, stating that it would function normally on May 27, while matters earlier listed for May 28 would now be heard a day earlier.

States including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana also shifted the Bakrid holiday to May 28 after Moon-sighting announcements confirmed the revised festival date. In Telangana, the Sadar Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Deccan announced that Eid-ul-Adha would fall on May 28 after Dhul-Qa’dah completed 30 days. Andhra Pradesh also postponed Intermediate Public Advanced Supplementary Examinations that were earlier scheduled for May 28.

–IANS

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