Let's sacrifice animals maintaining social distancing rules

This year, the holy Eid-ul-Azha has come in a different environment. Muslims all over the world including Bangladesh will celebrate the day with due solemnity. But that celebration will not be like the other years. Millions of devout Muslim men and women perform the holy Hajj every year, but this year it is not being possible due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Saudi government is not allowing foreigners to perform the Hajj like the previous years. A small number of Muslims in Saudi Arabia are performing the Hajj rituals, following social distancing rules.

Sacrificing animals during this Eid is obligatory for every able Muslim. For the sake of Allah's satisfaction, the real significance of animal sacrifice is the effort to achieve self-purification through greed, envy, hatred, anger, selfishness and renunciation of inner bestiality. The holy Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated on the 10th day of the Arabic month of Jilhajj. However, there is a provision to sacrifice animals in the next two days, that is, on the 11th and 12th of Jilhajj as well.

Bangladesh will celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on Saturday. However, it must be celebrated maintaining the social distancing rules. The government has passed directives on Qurbani and Eid prayers. Like Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha prayers will be held inside the mosque, not in the open. Sacrifices must also be arranged in full compliance with hygiene rules. Sacrificial animals cannot be slaughtered on the road.

Strict adherence to hygiene rules has also been instructed for going home and shopping on Eid. Relieving is that coronavirus awareness has increased among the general population. To avoid the crowd, enough sacrificial animals have been sold online this year. As much as people were anxious to go to the village during the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, this time it was not noticed. Usually during Eid, it becomes difficult to get bus-train-launch and even plane tickets. But this Eid many vehicles are closed due to lack of passengers. Even then, all types of public transport need extra caution.

Many think that animal sacrifices will be less this year due to the coronavirus. Even then, it must be ensured that no one can slaughter the sacrificial animals outside the designated areas of city corporations and municipalities. Sacrificial animal waste must be disposed of as soon as possible.

Another concern is that while the festivities of Eid-ul-Azha is taking place, almost half of Bangladesh is flooded. Hundreds of thousands of people's houses, crops and vegetables have been washed away in the flood waters. Although some of them have found a place in the shelter, most of them are spending their days in waterlogged conditions. There are allegations that relief materials provided by the government have not reached many areas. We urge everyone to extend a helping hand to these flood-affected people according to their ability.

The issue of public safety during Eid should also be considered seriously. At this time, we hope that the government and the law enforcement agencies will be very alert so that the law and order situation is not compromised by militant groups.

We wish the very best to our readers, writers, advertisers and well-wishers on this joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Azha. May the joy of the holy Eid-ul-Azha be unfading. Eid Mubarak to all.