New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) Eid-ul-Adha, popularly known as ‘Bakrid’, was celebrated with religious fervour, prayers, and messages of peace and brotherhood across several parts of the country on Thursday, with authorities deploying extensive security arrangements to ensure smooth and peaceful celebrations.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi, tight police security was deployed across the district. Police personnel were stationed near mosques and Eidgahs, while Superintendent of Police Saravanan T personally monitored the arrangements to ensure that the festival was celebrated peacefully.
In Deoria, Bakrid prayers were offered at the Malviya Road Eidgah amid heavy police deployment. District officials, including the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, supervised the arrangements to maintain law and order and ensure the smooth conduct of prayers.
People in Hardoi gathered in large numbers at the Bilgram Chungi Eidgah to offer Eid-ul-Adha prayers.
City Magistrate Sanjay Kumar said that all Eid prayers in the Kotwali city area were conducted peacefully and without any disruption. Residents also expressed satisfaction over the arrangements, stating that Muslims offered prayers peacefully at Eidgahs and mosques across the district.
In Gorakhpur, devotees offered Eid-ul-Adha prayers at the Dargah Mubarak Khan Shaheed, while in Noida, authorities remained on high alert. Joint Commissioner of Police Rajeev Narain Mishra said that prayers were being held at more than 180 mosques across Noida, Greater Noida, and Central Noida zones. He added that drones were being used for surveillance, while 26 Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and reserve police forces were deployed to maintain security.
In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad Ansari offered Bakrid prayers at a mosque near the Vidhan Sabha and extended greetings to people, calling for peace, harmony, and communal unity on the occasion.
Moradabad also witnessed a massive turnout of devotees at Eidgahs from early morning. Authorities made elaborate arrangements, including the deployment of police, paramilitary personnel, and fire brigade teams to ensure peaceful celebrations.
In Muzaffarnagar, Eid prayers concluded peacefully under CCTV surveillance and strict security arrangements. Officials and religious leaders appealed to people to maintain cleanliness and follow proper guidelines during animal sacrifice rituals.
In Delhi, people gathered in large numbers at Jama Masjid to offer prayers on the occasion of Bakrid.
In Maharashtra, devotees gathered in large numbers near Jama Masjid on Malvani Road in Mumbai’s Malad area to offer Eid-ul-Adha prayers. Similar scenes were witnessed in Vasai-Virar and Navi Mumbai’s Sanpada area, where worshippers prayed for peace, prosperity, and brotherhood amid adequate police deployment.
In Tamil Nadu, people offered Eid-ul-Adha prayers at Manjakuppam grounds and nearby mosques in Cuddalore, at Eidgahs in Madurai, and at the Vellaiyampattu Eidgah in Tirupathur.
Meanwhile, in Rajasthan’s Jaipur, Eid-ul-Adha prayers were held peacefully at the Eidgah under tight security arrangements.
Eid-ul-Adha is the major Muslim festival, which is also celebrated as Bakrid. The day is celebrated to commemorate the Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command, demonstrating his unwavering devotion to Allah. This day honours the belief that despite being tempted by the devil, he was so devoted to Allah that nothing could stop him from making the sacrifice. Allah offered a sheep to be sacrificed instead of his son as a token of appreciation for his loyalty.
–IANS
jk/dpb