Agartala, Oct 18 (ANI): Devout Muslims across India's
northeastern states congregated at mosques to offer
prayers on the occasion of the feast of Eid-al-Adha on
Wednesday. Believers offer domestic animals as a
ritual sacrifice to the Almighty to mark this
festival. According to Islamic tradition, the Prophet
Abraham was blessed with a son, Ishmael, at a very
advanced age and nurtured a deep love for the boy. The
event commemorates Prophet Abraham's willingness to
sacrifice his son. The ritual of sacrifice symbolises
obedience and loyalty to God. Muslims worldwide
traditionally slaughter a four-legged animal in
commemoration. The meat is then distributed among the
family and neighbours as well as the poor and the
needy. But before the sacrifice, men, women and
children flock to mosques around the country to take
part in the prayers. Eid also marks the end of the
annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca and is considered to be
a day of joy, since martyrdom itself is a blessing.
