Eid ul Azha: A festival of sacrifice and remembrance

By Mohammad Amin Mir

As the crescent moon ushers in the holy festival of Eid ul Azha, Muslim communities across the globe unite in devotion, gratitude, and sacrifice. Known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid ul Azha commemorates the unwavering faith and obedience of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), who was willing to sacrifice his beloved son in submission to God’s command. At the heart of this celebration lies a powerful message of selflessness, compassion, and solidarity — values that resonate ever more deeply this year as Kashmir remembers the Pahalgam tourist martyrs who lost their lives to terror.

Eid ul Azha, observed on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah, marks the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a day that reminds the faithful that true devotion lies not in ritual alone, but in moral courage and willingness to give up what we cherish most for a higher cause.

The ritual of Qurbani (sacrifice) — the slaughtering of animals — is not merely symbolic. It is a profound act of spiritual cleansing, meant to rid the believer of arrogance, greed, and material obsession. The meat is distributed in three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy — reinforcing Islam’s insistence on social justice and compassion.

Traditionally, Eid ul Azha is a time for familial warmth, generosity, and communal prayer. Homes are adorned, children don new clothes, and kitchens brim with festive dishes. Yet, this year’s celebration carries a somber undertone as the Valley mourns the tragic loss of innocent tourists in Pahalgam, who were martyred in a brutal act of terrorism that shook our collective conscience.

These visitors had come to witness the serene beauty of Kashmir, to breathe the mountain air and be embraced by the famed hospitality of its people. They were not combatants, not agents of the state or targets of conflict — they were guests. Their brutal killing is an affront not only to the sanctity of human life but also to the centuries-old ethos of Kashmiriyat, which places hospitality, tolerance, and non-violance.

As Kashmiris offer Eid prayers this year, many will do so with heavy hearts. The attack on the tourist cab in Pahalgam, resulting in the death of several innocent travelers, has become a chilling reminder of the fragility of peace in a land that has seen too much blood.

These victims were not statistics. They had names, families, and dreams. Their loss is not just a tragedy for their loved ones, but a wound on the soul of Kashmir. Eid ul Azha teaches us to resist cruelty with compassion, respond to injustice with unity, and seek peace over vengeance. On this sacred day, it becomes our moral obligation to honor the memory of the martyrs by rejecting violence in all its forms.

Let us not allow the shadows of terrorism to eclipse the light of our traditions. The best tribute we can offer to the fallen is a renewed commitment to peace, dialogue, and mutual respect. Their memory must fuel our resolve to preserve Kashmir as a haven of harmony and a destination of love, not fear.

Islam is a religion that derives its strength from peace, not chaos. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” That message rings especially true today.

In the face of bloodshed, we must respond with resilience and faith. In the face of terror, we must respond with truth and courage. As we distribute the meat of our sacrifices, let us also distribute the message of unity. Let our homes be open not just to relatives but to neighbors across faiths. Let our prayers include not just the names of our kin, but also those whom violence has snatched from us too soon.

Eid ul Azha is more than a ritual — it is a call to live with purpose, humility, and integrity. As we celebrate, let us remember that the essence of sacrifice is not only in the slaughter of an animal but in the sacrifice of hatred, the slaughter of pride, and the offering of love.

This year, let us make Eid ul Azha a turning point. Let it be a day where our joy is tempered with remembrance, and our feasting is paired with reflection. Let us hold a special place in our prayers for the martyrs of Pahalgam, and vow never to let the light of humanity be dimmed by the darkness of violence.

May their souls find eternal peace, and may Kashmir find the courage to reclaim its legacy — as a land not of tears, but of tulips, songs, and sanctuary.