Bakrid celebrated with fervour and gaiety in Kerala

KOZHIKODE/THRISSUR: The Muslim community in Kerala celebrated Bakrid with religious fervour and gaiety on Sunday. Eidgahs were held mostly in auditoriums and halls across Malabar due to adverse weather and this year the common Eidgah at Kozhikode beach was not held due to the ongoing rains.
People gathered in large numbers for the morning prayers and greeted each other by exchanging pleasantries and hugs. The occasion marked the first Bakrid after the pandemic-related restrictions that made the festival a subdued event during the past two years.
Samastha leader Jifri Muthukoya Thangal led Eid prayers at Veluthalil Juma Masjid while IUML state president Panakkad Sadikali Shihab Thangal participated in the prayers held at the Panakkad Juma Masjid.
In his Eid message, Sunni leader Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musaliyar said that the message of Bakrid inspires a life of self-sacrifice and inspires to move forward undeterred by difficulties.
Mujahid leader Hussain Madavoor said that religious festivals of various communities, including Bakrid, help to foster love and amity among people.
Meanwhile, Hanan Hussain (20) collapsed and died while attending an Eidgah held at Safna Complex in Mukkam. His funeral was held at the Nellikuthu Juma Masjid in the evening.
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan offered Eid prayers at Cheraman Masjid, Kodungallur, considered to be the first mosque in India.
"The spirit of this festival is that we must sacrifice what is dear to you, and not just the sacrifice of animals. Sacrifice must be not just for one day, but you must always be ready to sacrifice for the larger good," said Khan.
"Though Kerala's description as 'God's own country' is of recent origin, references to Kerala in some places as exceptionally good and as God-given were there in documents dating back many centuries," said the governor.