MUMBAI: Leading Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband has appealed to Muslims to avoid cow slaughter during Bakrid or Eid al-Adha as a mark of respect for the feelings of Hindus. The three-day festival of sacrifices begins on October 16 and will continue till October 18.
Darul Uloom V-C Maulana Abul Kasim Noamani said: “The seminary has asked Muslims in the country to avoid cow slaughter on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.” The statement assumes significance as cow slaughter is banned in many states in India and there have been clashes over the issue in the past at many places.
Many senior clerics and community leaders have welcomed the Darul Uloom’s advice to avoid cow slaughter during Bakrid. “There are many animals prescribed as fit for sacrifice during Bakrid. Since a huge section of our Hindu brothers consider cows sacred, Muslims should respect their sentiments and choose other animals for slaughter. Darul Uloom has done a sensible thing by appealing the community to avoid cow slaughter,” said Maulana Obaidullah Qasmi, a product of Darul Uloom and an imam at a mosque in Mira Road.
Given the fury with which the Darul Uloom has given controversial fatwas, many feel that the sane advice is a welcome break. tnnSome of Darul Uloom’s regressive fatwas had received flak from the progressives. “I didn’t have very good opinion about Darul Uloom because of some regressive fatwas it has issued. But I appreciate that the famous seminary has asked Muslims to avoid cow slaughter. A festival is to share the joy with everyone, not to hurt somebody’s sentiments. And I think this statement is a step in the right direction,” said Indo-Arab Society president Zainuddin Bandukwala.