The main Eid congregation will be held at Faisal Mosque Islamabad where President, Federal Ministers, politicians and parliamentarians present in Islamabad, Muslim diplomats and notables would join thousands of faithful in prayers. In the provincial capitals of Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta, Eid congregations will be held where provincial governors, ministers and the people hailing from different walks of life will offer Eid prayers.
After offering Eid prayers, the faithful will slaughter sacrificial animals, including cows, camels, goats and sheep, in remembrance of Sunnat-e Ibrahimi. The meat of sacrificed animals will be distributed among relatives and the poor to share Eid celebrations.
Federal and provincial governments have chalked out elaborate security arrangements across the country to ward off untoward incidents. Policemen would be deployed at Eid congregation. Close circuit cameras have been also installed at important places and locations to check the movement of anti-social elements. Civic authorities of different cities and towns have also made special arrangements for disposal of offal and other solid waste during three days of Eid. Policemen would be deployed at Eid congregation.
Those who could not sacrifice their animals on the first day due to engagement of butchers or some other reasons will slaughter goats, cows and camels on Sunday and Monday following the Sunnah of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). Under security plan, women policemen and police cops in plain clothes in different bazaars have also been deployed. People, especially women also thronged markets to buy clothes and other items to celebrate for festive event.
Markets and shopping malls are crowded with children and women, anxious to buy their Eid dresses, bangles, shoes, makeup materials and other items. Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujat Hussain, senior leaders Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and Moonis Elahi in their message said, "We can overcome every problem, threat and crisis confronting Pakistan only with the spirit of great sacrifice."
They said "Eid-ul-Azha gives us lesson not to spare any sacrifice for our faith, country and nation, our first priority should be Pakistan and those performing Sunnah-e-Ibrahimi should also involve the poor, destitute, widows and orphans in their happiness of Eid celebrations."
They said, "Today we should pledge that we will not consider any sacrifice too great for safeguarding security and solidarity of Pakistan and for its stability and progress, we will always give preference to national interests over personal, group and party interests and bring all our efforts and energies into full play for making Pakistan as Pakistan of the Quaid-e-Azam."
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017