Shillong, Oct 6 (IANS) Thousands of Muslims across Meghalaya Monday marked a solemn Eid-ul-Azha in view of the recent floods and landslides in the state, which claimed over 50 lives.
“There were no decorations on mosques across the state this time. Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated in a solemn way this time following the recent natural disaster in Meghalaya,” Shillong Muslim Union general secretary Sayeedullah Nongrum told IANS.
Nongrum said the money saved during the Eid celebrations will be donated to the flood victims in Garo Hills region in the western part of Meghalaya.
More than two lakh people were affected by the flood waters, which submerged at least 1,172 villages across 27 blocks.
At least 56 people lost their lives in the recent floods and landslides following the cloudburst in Garo Hills.
However, thousands of men and children clad in new attire and wearing skull caps offered prayers in Eidgahs or open grounds and mosques in Shillong, Dawki, Nongpoh, Lad Rymbai, Byrnihat and Garo Hills region.
The biggest congregation here was held at Laban Eidgah, where over 10,000 devout Muslims offered prayers.
After the prayers, Muslims sacrificed goats and other “halal” animals to commemorate the great sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim.
The meat of the sacrificed animals is distributed among neighbours, relatives and the poor.
Meghalaya Governor K.K. Paul and Chief Minister Mukul Sangma greeted the people of the state on the occasion.
Paul hoped “the festival will promote tolerance, harmony and goodwill amongst the people of the state”.
Extending his greetings, Sangma hoped the festival is celebrated with the spirit of sacrifice and also promote the feelings of compassion and love.
Muslims constitute four percent of the nearly three million population of Meghalaya, a predominantly Christian state.
Eid-ul-Azha celebrated in Meghalaya
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