Avoid carrying raw meat on Eid: Muslim clerics in Ranchi

RANCHI: Muslim clerics in the city on Friday issued an appeal to the community members to do away with the practice of dividing portions and carrying the meat of sacrificed animal for distribution among families, friends and neighbours. The clerics' appeal which came after the Friday prayers was in view of the rise in lynching incidents in the state over carrying of meat.
Appealing to the community members to respect the religious sentiments of other communities, an announcement made from the Hazrat Qutubuddin Resaldar Baba Mazar said no one should throw any part of the sacrificed animal in the open or wash animals' blood on public drains. "Proper arrangement for disposal of the waste parts and blood should be made at the site of sacrifice. Avoid taking portions of the sacrifice in form of raw meat for distribution among friends and family members. Invite them to have cooked meal at homes instead," the appeal said, expressing concern over the recent incidents of mob lynching and nefarious intentions of anti-social elements.
According to Islamic custom, the sacrifice (animal) is divided into three portions - one each for family, friends or neighbours and for the poor in society - and are then distributed.
Shahar Qazi kari Jaan Mohammad Mustafi said similar announcements were made from different mosques after the Friday prayer because the community does not want any unscrupulous element to create trouble and disturb the law and order. He said, "We want to celebrate our festival with religious vigour without disturbing sentiments of people from other communities because Bakrid this year coincides with Somvari, which is considered pious by our Hindu brothers and sisters." Mustafi, in his appeal to the community members, further said since many Hindu pilgrims would go to temple on Monday, special care should be taken so that blood of sacrificed animals to flow in drains.
Similar announcements were also made from the Doranda mosque. Syed Maulana Alquama Sibli of the mosque said they must take precautions rather than addressing the crisis later as there are chances of some anti-social elements spreading rumour and trying to disrupt the communal harmony. "We are apprehensive that in a politically-volatile environment however alert government or police machinery remains, people with nefarious motives can create trouble. So, it is better not to move around with raw meat of the sacrifice," he said.
Acknowledging concerns of the minority community, inspector general of police and state police spokesperson Ashish Batra said one should calm and be not afraid during the festivities. "Police are there to take care of everyone's sentiments. We have convened a meeting with all SPs through video-conference to brief them about security arrangements for Monday when Bakrid coincides with Shravan Somvaari and people from both communities would like to enjoy their respective festivals in peace," he said.