Thiruvananthapuram, Monday, November 07, 2011: Muslims in Kerala today celebrated Id-ul-Azha, dedicating themselves to unflinching faith in the Almighty by recalling the great sacrifice of Hazrath Ibrahim and son Ismael centuries ago.

The faithful congregated in mosques and specially arranged ‘Idgahs’ in open places across the state for special prayers.Community leaders and religious scholars exhorted them to pledge themselves to the eternal values of total devotion to the Almighty, willingness to sacrifice, and love and compassion towards brethren.

Kerala Governor M O H Farook was among hundreds who offered ‘namaz’ at the Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium here. In central Kerala and northern Malabar region, where majority of Kerala Muslims live, special Id namaz sessions were organised, which where attended by women and children.

Besides Governor Farook, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan, Indian Union Muslim League state president Panakkad Syid Hyderali Shihab Thangal and leaders of various political parties greeted people on the occasion.

The Bakrid festival is observed by Muslims worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Paigambar Mohammad (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God. However, God intervened to provide him with a ram to sacrifice instead.

Bakrid is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son on Allah’s command.

According to Islamic belief, Allah wanted to test Ibrahim and told him to sacrifice his son Ismail. He agreed to do so, but found his paternal feelings hard to suppress. So, he blindfolded himself before putting Ismail at the altar on Mount Mina, near Mecca.

When he removed his blindfold after the sacrifice, he saw his son standing in front of him. On the altar lay slaughtered a lamb.

It is in honour of this test of faith that Muslims around the world sacrifice animals on the occasion to show their faith in Allah.