Thiruvananthapuram, Monday, November 07, 2011: Governor M.O.H 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 has greeted people on the occasion of Bakrid which spread the message of sacrifice.

In a message issued here, Chief Minister expressed the hope that the celebrations would pave the way for strengthening social amity and fraternity. 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.