By Rameez Makhdoomi
Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice is among the two main holidays celebrated in Islam (the other being Eid al-Fitr). The festival is celebrated with lot of fervor and mirth.
This sacred festival deeply respects the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son, as an act of obedience to God's command.
It is to be mentioned that before Prophet Abraham could sacrifice his son in the name of God, and because of his willingness to do so, God provided him with a lamb to sacrifice in his son's place. In commemoration of this intervention, animals are ritually sacrificed.
In this regard, a Part of their meat is consumed by the family that offers the animal, while the rest of the meat is distributed to the poor and the needy.
Also on this eve , the wide range of Sweets and gifts are given, and extended family members typically visit and are welcomed. The day is also sometimes called the Greater Eid.
The valley of Kashmir like many other parts of world faces a problem wherein a unfortunately enough some people through off Animal hides, head and offal away on open roads and streets leading not just to pollution and dirt but environmental chaos. This leads to unhygienic streets and atmosphere.
Over the years the rapid decline of leather industry and no commercial value to animal hides has lead to worsening the problem.
But the sane pulse is that be it animal hides or offal all should be disposed in such a manner that is environmentally friendly , if we act otherwise it would give wrong message .