Eid-ul-Azha being celebrated with religious fervour

Eid-ul-Azha is being celebrated today (Saturday) in commemoration of the supreme sacrifice offered by Hazrat Ibrahim Khalilullah and his son Hazrat Ismail Zabiullah in fulfillment of the Divine order.
Eid prayers were offered at Eidgahs‚ central Mosques and open places across the country.
Special prayers were offered for the prosperity of the country and unity among the Muslim Ummah.
It is being followed by offering sacrifices of animals by the faithful in accordance with the Sunnah Ibrahimi.
The main Eid congregation in the federal capital was held at the Faisal Mosque.
In Lahore‚ the main Eid congregation was held at Badshahi mosque.

Eid an occasion to share smiles

KARACHI - Karachiites will celebrate the Eidul Fitr on Monday (today) with religious zeal and fervour.

The metropolis is usually known as an economic hub of the country with having rich traditional values as well. Due to the diversity of city’s culture, events like Eid are seen in various vibrant colours. The Karachi Municipal Corporation has also announced the arrangements on the occasion in various parks and Sea View. 

A night before Eid day (Chaand Raat), thousands of youth are seen on roads and markets engaged in shopping. People on self-help basis clean streets and avenues, while the KMC administration of all the districts launch cleanliness drives under which all the main locations and roads of the towns are cleaned with the help of manpower and machinery.

Citizens were also rushed to bakeries, fruit vendors and flower shops, as these items are the part of Eid tradition. Businesses of sweet shops have also reached to their peaks and before Eid day as people purchases wreaths, bouquets and other items in a large number for their beloved ones. Though masses go to amusement parks along with their children, temporary play lands and festivals are also organised in almost all areas of the city, particularly in lower middle localities.

On the auspicious occasions like Eid, professional beggars proved themselves as a curse for the metropolis. They perturb the citizens as they take Eid as an opportunity to mint money and even do not refrain themselves from using offensive means for the purpose. It is also pertinent to mention here that at the time when entire nation is engaged in celebrating the joys and happiness of Eid, there are several eyes which are bleeding in remembrance of their beloved ones who were killed for unknown reasons and are yet waiting for justice. Internally Displaced People (IDPs), who left their houses due to huge floods in the province, are celebrating Eid with hunger and desperation at relief camps set up in various areas of the City.

Eid is being celebrated by everyone in various styles, some families are celebrating it in the absence of their heads, who are engage in labour abroad. Abrar, a driver who deals in intercity transport, said that he hardly manages to spend two to four hours with his family on Eid and at same times, he had to spend Eid in driving a bus from Karachi to Peshawar. On the same pattern, law-enforcement agencies personnel will also spend their Eid on the roads of the metropolis. All important public and private buildings, including shopping centres, have been decorated and illuminated. The roads and streets of the city especially those approaching Eidgahs, mosques and Imambargahs have been washed and cleaned.

According to the police, fool-proof security arrangements have been made to ensure safety of life and property of the citizens. The police and Rangers will also be deployed at mosques, Imambargahs and eidgahs.

Eid prayers will be held in many mosques, Eidgahs and Imambargahs of the city. The government functionaries, politicians and elite of the city will perform prayers in their respective residential areas.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan will perform Eidul Fitr at Gulshan-e-Jinnah (Old Polo Ground) near the Governor House.

After Eid prayers, from 0900 to 0930 hours, he will met senior officers of armed forces. From 0930 to 1130 hours, he will meet general public, civil and military officers and prominent citizens and exchange Eid greetings with them.  Wife of the Governor Ms Shahina Ebad Khan will meet women at the Governor House from 0930 to 1130. Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah will celebrate Eid in his native town Khairpur Mirs. There, he will meet the general public, politicians and elite of the area, and exchange Eid greetings.

Eid precautions: ‘Wear plastic gloves while handling meat’

LAHORE: 

Precautionary measures should be adopted while handling the blood and organs of sacrificed animal to avoid viral diseases, especially the congo virus that could lead to congo haemorrhagic fever, doctors said.

Talking to The Express Tribune, General Cadre Doctors Association and Pakistan Medical Society President Dr Masood Shaikh said there hadn’t any cases of congo virus in recent weeks but advised people to be careful while dealing with offals and blood of the animals.

“To avoid this virus, one should not have any cut or bruise on one’s hand while slaughtering the animal. The animal’s blood should not come in contact with such cuts. It’s better to wear plastic gloves handling the meat. If the blood comes in contact with a cut or a bruise, one should wash it immediately. Women should also wear plastic gloves while handling the meat. Once the meat is cooked, this virus is killed,” Dr Shaikh said.

He also advised against excessive eating of red meat, salt and chilies, which he said, could increase stomach acidity. It can be dangerous for those having problems of regurgitation, ulcer, diabetes, hypertension, liver, renal and cardiac problems and hepatitis. He said the use of cola drinks with spicy food could do more harm.

Dr Sheikh said that not more than 200 to 250 grams of red meat was needed by the body for a whole day. He said excessive intake of meat increased uric acid, leading to gouty arthritis, and put burden on kidneys. People with kidney problems or those with hepatitis should take special precautions. He said red meat fats should not be used as oil or ghee as that could lead to hypertension and heart diseases.

“One should be careful while barbecuing the meat as an excessive burning of meat can produce chemicals that can be dangerous,” he added.

Prof of Surgery Dr Latif Aftab said both mutton and beef were A-class protein providers and high in nutritional value. He said after slaughtering, meat should be kept at a cool place before freezing.

He said the meat should be properly cooked as half-baked meat could cause infections. He advised consuming red meat with vegetables and yogurt.

Do not be merciless this Eid, please!

Have Pakistanis forgotten the principle behind Eidul Azha? This supposed feast of sacrifice, popularly known as Bakra Eid in our nation, is where Muslims are meant to pay symbolic tribute to Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son on the command of Allah (SWT).

During this annual three-day Islamic holiday, Muslims who earn a good enough living, follow Prophet Abraham’s example by committing a fraction of their wealth to the sacrifice of livestock. The meat gained, of course, is divided into three portions, one of which is supposed to go to the poor and needy. This holiday is meant to impart the practitioners of this ritual with several life lessons, but having observed this celebration for several years in Pakistan, I have noted some unfortunate practices. These are listed below.

1. Physical cruelty:

Last year there was a fiery debate on The Express Tribune, where people were either for or against the Bakra Eid sacrifices. Those who were against the sacrifices argued that it was a cruel practice to the livestock, while those who were in favour of it reminded everyone that the meat they consumed all year round comes from the same slaughter of livestock.

Yes, the meat bought outside of Eidul Azha holidays is gained through sacrifice, but the difference is that this regular meat comes from the farms where livestock is apparently killed more humanely in a controlled and more professional environment.

Feeling empathy for the animals is a natural part of the Bakra Eid tradition. When we celebrate this event and bring livestock home for the sacrifice, we form a small bond with the animals before their fateful day. The lesson is that we feel some sorrow when the animal is slaughtered, and in turn learn to treat these harmless creatures with some kindness. Do remember that we are supposed to slaughter the animals in a way that minimises their physical and psychological pain.

Eidul Azha is commercial; here part-time butchers earn a sizeable amount of money. The part-time slaughterers find work on this holiday because they charge a lower fee than others and mostly because professional butchers are occupied. Sadly, the part-timers often make mistakes which result in terribly cruel deaths to the animals.

I should know, because I worked out of the Korangi Industrial area. The hides tanneries received during Bakra Eid are the most unfortunate because of the random unnecessary holes that come from the hands of untrained butchers. I don’t need to imagine how cruel these deaths must have been, having witnessed some bad slaughters myself. I don’t need to narrate any cruel Bakra Eid incidents, since horror stories where the animals are faced with undue physical torture are commonplace. Sadly, in my conversations with the part-time slaughterers, I have learned that they are unconcerned with the pain caused to the animals.

To them, it is purely business.

2. Psychological cruelty:

As a child, I was taught that if Muslims are slaughtering multiple animals, they must ensure that the sight and sound of the animal being killed is away from the animal(s) in waiting. It is simply cruel to slaughter animals in front of each other, as we do in Pakistan when we insist on turning our unprepared homes into slaughterhouses. I have heard many tales of frightened goats trying to escape the scene of a bloody slaughter in a wild panic, after watching and hearing the agony of their kind; this has become unbearable.

3. Showing off:

Without fail, every Eid, you learn of wealthy families spending a small fortune to buy a single outrageously expensive cow, which they boast has been imported from Europe or Australia. Later, entire neighbourhoods are invited to have a look at the mooing creature (the cow, not the head of the affluent family), as they brag about how the price of the foreign animal was more than that of ten Pakistani cows.

Well, if one of the reasons animals are slaughtered in Eidul Azha is so that their meat is shared, isn’t it more reasonable for these families to buy ten Pakistani cows instead, so that that ten times the meat is distributed amongst the poor?

4. The hierarchy of meat:

It is about the same in most Pakistani households: The choicest meat portions from the sacrifice are kept for family and friends, while the poorest pieces are mixed together for distribution amongst the poor.

If the traditional practice states that the three portions should be divided equally amongst family, friends and neighbours, and the impoverished, then logic dictates that the meat should be mixed up regardless of quality, should it not?

5. The war-zone effect:

During Eidul Azha many streets of Pakistan resemble a battleground.  With the street-cleaners having also taken a holiday, the roads are bathed in blood, leftover animal carcasses can be seen outside of homes, and the sick stench of death is in the air.

We are often very quick to blame the government, but perhaps we should realise that our job on Bakra Eid doesn’t end with the sacrifice, but with taking care of the mess that follows. The ritual of cleanliness is an important part of Islam, yet our major concern with Eidul Azha seems to be with the glamour of it all.

Selective mobile blackout across Pakistan on Eid day: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister, Rehman A Malik has announced selective cellular blackout on October 27, the first day of Eid-ul-Azha, as a security measure, Geo News reported.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday he said that mobile services would be blocked only in those cities, which the intelligence reports had declared at high-risk of terrorist activities and not the whole Pakistan.

"It will not be a countrywide shut down, it will be partial, only in cities and pockets considered sensitive," he said.

Terrorists were plotting to target three cities in Punjab province, two in southern Sindh and some in the insurgency hit Baluchistan and northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bordering Afghanistan, he said, but did not reveal their names for security reasons.

"We have received 13 intelligence alerts" about security threats, Malik told reporters.

"Users will have to face loss of mobile connectivity for four hours from 06:00 AM to 10:00 AM", said he.

Malik said he regretted the "inconvenience" the suspension of mobile service will cause, particularly to the country's youth.

Giving a breakup he said that that most of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 20 cities in Balochistan, three Punjab, and two cities located in Sindh would be affected by this security measure.

Authorities fear mobile phones could be used to coordinate attacks or trigger a remote-controlled bomb.

To a question, he said his ministry had received recommendations to this effect from all the provincial governments.

"We have to answer their call in the broader interest of Pakistan", he added.

Replying to another query, he said that Sindh House Court had not barred the interior ministry from freezing the cellular service for security purposes rather tied it with an approval from Presidency.

Responding to a question regarding Muslim League-Nawaz's reposing trust in Federal Investigation Agency with regard to Asghar Khan Case probe, he said his department would not let PML-N leader down.

"It was strange to note that PML-N was divided on FIA probe. Shahbaz Sharif had never objected to FIA probes when he was in power, why now?" Malik said

Eid prayers timings announced for Lahore

LAHORE: The Eid-ul-Azha prayers will be offered at over 300 places including big mosques in the city.

The biggest congregation will be held at Badshahi Mosque at 7.30 a.m.

According to schedule issued by the Auqaf Department the timings of prayers are as follow; Jamia Masjid Data Darbar at 7:15 a.m, Masjid Neela Gumbad at 6:30 a.m, Masjid Wazir Khan at 7:15 a.m, Jamia Masjid Auqaf Colony at 6:45 a.m, Jamia Madina Masjid Anarkali 6:45 a.m, Masjid Jamia Ashrafia Ferozepur Road at 7:00 a.m, Jamia Masjid Chowk Dalgiran at 6:30 a.m, Jamia Naeemia Garhi Shahu at 6:30 a.m, 6:30 a.m: Government High School, Baghbanpura, Masjid Eidgah Salamatpura, Jamia Masjid Anwar Shahdra Railway Station, Jamia Masjid Kubra, New Samanabad, Jamia Masjid Rehmania, Qila Laxman Singh, Eidgah Bahawalpur Road Mozang, Jamia Masjid Ghousaia, Chowk Misri Shah.

At 6:45 a.m: Masjid Madina, Mian Mir Colony, Garden outside Sheranwala Gate, Jamia Masjid Sufaid, Misri Shah, Jamia Masjid Naqshbandia, outside Sheranwala Gate.

At 7:00 a.m: Jamia Masjid Wazir Khan, Jamia Masjid Darbar Hazrat Shah, Abdul Mua'ali, Jamia Mansoora, Jamia Masjid Al-Najm, Rajgarh, Jamia Masjid Shah Inayat, Bhatti Gate, Aitchison College Ground, Government MAO College ground.

At 7:15 a.m: Jamia Masjid Usmania, behind Noori Building Islampura, Eidgah Muhammad Park, and Rajgarh.

At 7:30 a.m: Iqbal Park, Baitul Mukarram Green Town, Masjid Mai Lado, Jamia Masjid Thokar Niaz Baig, Jamia Masjid Qasmia, Mini Market Ground, Gulberg, Onchi Masjid Hanfia Rizvis, Texali gate, Tomb of Jehangir, Jamia Masjid Muhammdia Rizvia, New Shalimar Town.

At 7:45 a.m: Jamia Masajid Hanfia Wapda House, Jamia Masjid Ghousia Chishtia, Morr Samanabad, Jamia Masjid, Akbari Mandi, Jamia Masjid Jamiatul Quraish, Walton Road, Karim Block, Model Town.

At 8:00 a.m: Masjid Jamia Imrania, Gulberg-II For Fiqah-e-Jafria, 7:00 a.m: University Ground, Qasr e Batool, 178-Shahman Colony, Masjid Shah Khurasan Neelum Block, Allama Iqbal Town, Jamia Al-Muntazir, Muslim Town, Jamia Masjid Shia Salam Link Road, Model Town, Jamia Masjid Quds, Sector A-I Township, Jamia Amjuman-e-Muhammadi. (APP)

Basic food items prices increased ahead of Eid

ISLAMABAD - Keeping its previous tradition intact, the strong market mafia is once again active to exploit the helpless consumers by trading basic food commodities at higher prices just ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
According to the official figures of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) and market sources, prices of commonly used vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, onions, green chilies and garlic have recorded massive increase in last few days. Market sources were of the view that prices of vegetables started increasing from last week owing to the advent of Eid-ul-Azha. It is common practice in Pakistan that prices of basic food items are enhanced with the advent of religious festivals like Ramazan, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha, as hoarders come into action by selling commodities at higher prices.
Average price of tomatoes went up to over Rs 60 per kg from Rs 50 per kg of few days earlier. Similarly, prices of onions, garlic and potatoes also registered an increase. Price of chicken has enhanced to Rs 122 per kg from earlier price of Rs 115 per kg.
According to the PBS figures, inflation based on Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) was recorded at 5.91 per cent during the week ended on Thursday as compared to the same period of last financial year.According to the latest PBS figures, inflation for the lower earning class of the society (earning up to Rs 8000 per month) was recorded at 6.49 per cent, followed by 8.56 per cent for the income group earning up to Rs 8001-12000 per month.  Meanwhile, inflation for the income group earning Rs 12001-18000 per month was registered at 8.16 per cent, followed by 4.88 per cent for the income group earning Rs 18001-35000 per month.
However, the least effect of the inflation was once again observed for the higher income group (earning above Rs 35000 per month) as it was recorded at 3.15 per cent for the said class.
SPI monitors prices of 53 items based on the survey of 17 cities and 53 markets. According to the latest PBS figures, prices of 13 items registered increase, 11 items recorded decrease and 29 items remained unchanged during the week that ended on Thursday.
Prices of onions rose to Rs 42 per kg in the period under review from Rs 41 per kg of the preceding week, potatoes price increased to Rs 31.90 from Rs 30.75, price of tea (yellow lable 200 Gm) enhanced to Rs 135 from Rs 130. Price of eggs surged to Rs 110 per dozen from Rs 107. Firewood price raised to Rs 478 per 40 kg from Rs 473. Prices of wheat, mash pulse washed and gur also recorded nominal increase in the period under review.
Meanwhile, price of petrol reduced to Rs 102.45 per liter from Rs 104.74 and bananas price decreased to Rs 56.21 per dozen from Rs 57.35. Price of diesel, lawn, gram pulse washed, wheat flour bag, sugar, kerosene, moong pulse washed, rice irri-6 and red chilies powdered also reduced in the period under review

Offering sacrifice becoming Herculean task

ISLAMABAD (USMAN CHEEMA & ISRAR AHMED) – The people living across the country have lost their purchasing power due to shaking economy and lesser buyers of sacrificial animals were observed this year as compared to previous years.
As per market sources, it was learnt that people who used to alter animals on Eid-ul-Azha on regular basis, this year they found it hard to keep it up and sacrifice animal like always. It is also worth mentioning here that the number of people is decreasing every year those sacrifice animals on Eid.

The major reason behind this is increasing cost of living and static income level. In the government sector every year some raise in salaries is offered to employees but workers working in private sector are suffering a lot.
It was observed that the price of a goat starts from Rs 15000 that year that started from Rs 12000 last year. Presently the sellers and buyers both are in a fix because the cost of looking after animals has also increased so sellers cannot offer much lesser price and on the other side the buyers have no increase in their income level so they are unable to buy.
It is also worth mentioning here that trend of shared sacrifice have increased during the last few years but this year many find them unable to buy a share in a cow being sacrificed by the group of seven as per Islamic law.
Around Rs 2000-3000 have been increased in terms of share in shared sacrificial of animals. Last year the one person’s share started from Rs 5,000 that was increased this due to inflation to Rs 7,000-8,000.
Overall opinions of the public shows that only capitalists would survive in Pakistan in future as they have gained unlimited powers during the few years and are in a position to exploit the workers and whole economy as well.
Meanwhile, lack of basic facilities and very high rates of sacrificial animals at various cattle markets in the district have irked the buyers, compelling them to return homes with empty hands.
The animal sellers are charging 40 to 50 per cent more than last year due to higher feed and fuel costs. A large number of people making their mind to contribute money for a joint sacrifice rather than buying a whole animal (bull or ox) while some said they would buy some goat, sheep or calf just a few hours before Eid (Friday late night) when prices would come down.
Meanwhile, the contractors of cattle markets and animal sellers complained about high transport costs, feeble security and lack of facilities at the markets.
The price were expected to come down on Friday evening, a day before Eid-ul-Azha, when the animal sellers coming from far-off districts of Mianwali, Attock, Chakwal, Chashma, DI Khan, Layyah and other parts of southern Punjab pack their luggage to go back to home.
Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) and City District Government Rawalpindi (CDGR) high-ups had made no arrangements to cope with threats of Congo virus among the people.
On the other hand, the mobile cattle sellers added the woes of general public in the streets and on the roads.
During a visit, paid by this scribe on Thursday, cattle markets set up at Adyala Road, Dhoke Seydan, Channi Alam Sher, Rawat and Pirwadhai it was revealed that a small and big goats, lambs and sheep were being sold at Rs 18,000 to 50,000 while the big animals like bulls and ox were available at Rs 55,000 to 200,000, thus making them (animals) untouchable for the buyers.
Adeel Nisar of Tench Bhatta, who deemed worry after paying a long visit at Dhoke Seydan cattle market but could not find a low price animal, told this scribe the rate of the animals were very high. A small or medium goat was being sold at Rs 25,000 to 48,000, he said adding that “I have Rs 20,000 in my pocket only”.
He said that he was contemplating to share in the sacrifice of big animal at his town.
“I have been wondering in the cattle market since morning but could not find a cheaper animal for sacrifice. The traders are charging some 40 percent more than the last year. I bought a small goat against Rs 16,000 last year but the same goat is available at Rs 28,000 to 30,000 this year. The animals have become out of reach of middle class” said Shahid Bhatti, a businessman.
A trader Shahid Amin, who arrived from Mianwali to sale his animals at Pirwadhai cattle market, he would not reduce the price of his animals as he had to meet the expenses of traveling and keeping the animals at the cattle market.
A contractor, seeking anonymity, said that RCB have not send any doctor to examine the sick animals at Dhoke Seydan cattle market, thus endangering the lives of buyers and traders and other area residents.
He said that on their request, a doctor was sent by RCB for one hour and later the doctor never came back.
Moreover, RCB and CDGR had levied heavy taxes at the cattle markets but have not provided any facility or security to the contractors and traders.
For every goat the seller has to pay Rs200 and for bigger animal Rs300 before entering the markets in different localities of Rawalpindi.
A contractor Raja Mushtaq told The Nation that though the RCB had auctioned the temporary cattle market in Dhoke Syedan against Rs 2 million but no facilities such as water for animals and electricity at night had been provided.
There was no security in the cattle markets from animal thieves and from miscreants. The fear of theft and any mischief keep us awake all the night in the markets, he said.
The sellers had to keep extra men for security of animals and securing food and water for them when kept in the cattle markets, he said.
CDGR, reportedly, made no arrangements to tackle the treat of Congo virus as no spray campaign was launched anywhere in the city or in cattle markets. The mobile sellers of animal freely roaming in thick populated areas round the clock.
The traders at Adyala Road expressed their deep concerned over the setting up a cattle market at Mubarak Lane. They said that the animals not only spreading dirt in the area but also causing huge traffic block in the locality.
They said that their businesses have been going in big loss. They demanded CM Punjab Mian Shehbaz Sharif to take action against the incompetent CDGR high ups as they have failed to control the sale of animals in residential areas.
Despite several attempts, DCO Saqib Zafar was not approached for his comments on the issue

Millions leave Lahore to enjoy Eid with beloved

LAHORE: Like every year on the eve of Eidul Azha, the provincial capital of Punjab has witnessed an estimated mass exodus of more than three million people ahead of long weekend as people bid goodbye to provincial capital.

The exodus started on Wednesday and would continue until Thursday night but would reach its climax on Friday (today). It was witnessed that the city roads, business points, bazaars and shopping malls were not messy. Eidul Azha will be celebrated on Saturday and as per the notifications holidays will start from Friday (today) to October 29, owing to which people hailed from other towns started leaving Lahore to celebrate Eid with friends and their beloved.

This happens on several occasions during the year especially on Eids as a number of people settled in Lahore due to their jobs return to their hometowns to spend holidays with their dear ones. This Eid four official Eid holidays provided a long weekend not only to the people hailing from the other districts but also to the Lahoris as well.

It is worth mentioning that almost half of the people living in Lahore belong to other districts and towns. The provincial capital almost gives a deserted look during such special festivities. It would be easy to understand that the population of Lahore is about 9.8 million and the city gives a desolate look after the departure of 3 million people. Railway station, general bus stand at Badami Bagh, city bus terminal Sikandria Colony, Sherankot, Ferozepur Road, Shahdara and Yateem Khana bus terminals observed tens of thousands of people moving out of the city.

Keeping in mind the mass exodus the transport owners started minting money by increasing fares. On the other hand, a limited number of vehicles also forced the commuters to pay extra money to get seats to have a comfortable journey. The transporters exploited the situation in their favour and minted three to four times extra fare from the commuters. The passengers complained of being fleeced by the transporters, something that is not unusual on this occasion.

The commuters and the passengers for the inter-district routes seemed helpless. The people wanted to leave city with the families seemed more worried about their journey as they were not in a position to travel while facing hardships. Those who can afford overcharging were found buying tickets but there were many that found registering their protest and complaining against this illegal action of the transporters. Interestingly, there was not even a single official of the city administration to curb overcharging. Seeking anonymity, the representatives of the transport authorities, said said apparently it seemed odd but overcharging was just to cover the expected loss. “The vehicles will return empty so who will compensate the transporters,” they said.