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ShareMumbai: It is said to be customary for the Muslims to sacrifice goats on Bakr Eid. But on Saturday, not all Muslims in the city will be practising the age-old ritual. Some of them have vowed not to slaughter goats, and indulge in charitable deeds instead.
Celebrated script writer Salim Khan, father of actor Salman Khan, said that the ritual had never been practised in his home at Galaxy Apartments, Bandra Bandstand. "I do not believe in this ritual. In fact, I try to stay away from as many rituals as possible. The original concept of Bakr Eid is to keep just a small share of the meat for the family, and distribute the rest among the poor. It is all about helping the people in need. I have acharity foundation which aims to reduce the sufferings of the poor. I will read the namaaz and celebrate Bakri Eid with family and friends," Khan said.
Advocate Shoaib Memon, who lives in an apartment building in Khar (West), has nothing against the ritual. But it is important to him that the sentiments of his neighbours belonging to other religions are not hurt. "That is why I do not perform the goat sacrifice in the building premises. Instead, I give money to a charitable institution to sacrifice a goat and distribute the meat among the poor," he said.
"We do not believe in animal sacrifice. The essence of Bakr Eid is to do charity," Jasmine Bharatan, who lives on Linking Road, Bandra (West) said. Ashraf Sheikh, a Mahim resident, feels that the rising cost of goats has stopped some from following the ritual.
"With the rise in prices for agricultural products, goats, too, have become costlier. Goats which previously cost Rs5,000, are now being sold for Rs10,000," Dr AD Jadhav, general manager of Deonar abbatoir, said.
