Eid is not just about sacrifice, but charity

CHANDIGARH: In city, the sacrifice of goats on Eid-ul-Adha is not just a gesture to show the willingness of devotees to sacrifice their dear ones to the Almighty, but also to give a better future to orphan children studying in city-based madrasas the religious Islamic schools. The money which is received after selling the skin of the sacrificed goat goes as charity for educating orphan children.
In city, the people from a madrasa, known as madrasawalas, go door-to-door to collect the skin and then sell it in the market. "The money they receive from it is then used to impart Islamic education to children, especially orphan children," said Mohammad Ajmal Khan, maulavi of Jama Masjid in Sector 20, Chandigarh. However, it is not a compulsion for all Muslims. "It is one's wish that he wants to himself sell the skin and give the money in charity to a madrasa, or give the skin directly to madrasas. Also, they are free to give this money to any other needy person and not to the madrasa," the maulvi added.
In another ritual of serving the poor on Bakri Eid, one part of the goat, sacrificed for Allah is also given to the poor. "It is very important to give a sacrificed goat to the poor Muslims. In this gesture, you might not save for yourself, but then it must be given to every poor living near you," said Shehzad Alam, of sector 7.
Talking about this ritual, Maulvi Ajmal Khan said: "The meat is divided into three parts. One share is kept for oneself, the second is distributed among friends and relatives, and the third is given to poor people. Secondly, giving charity in a madrasa is very important as it imparts knowledge about Allah and teaches even those who do not have anyone to teach them of their religion." Though it is an Islamic festival, the meat " which is divided in three shares after "kurbani" is shared with all the neighbours, irrespective of their religion. They also visit their near and dear ones on the occasion with different types of delicacies.