Dargah Ala Hazrat launches campaign against sacrifice of banned animals ahead of Eid

Bijnor: Dargah Ala Hazrat of Bareilly, regarded as one of the most influential Sunni Muslim religious centres globally, has appealed to the community not to sacrifice legally banned animals under any circumstances this Eid-ul-Azha. The message emphasizes celebrating the upcoming festival in strict accordance with the law, cleanliness norms and communal harmony.To ensure compliance, Jamaat Raza-e-Mustafa—the organisation linked to the prominent shrine—has launched a dedicated awareness campaign. Representatives have already contacted mosque Imams across several districts to spread the message during Friday prayers.Religious leaders have been instructed to immediately halt any attempt to sacrifice prohibited animals. Furthermore, they are directed to report such violations both to the Dargah authorities and the local administration for swift legal action.Farmaan Hasan Khan, the national general secretary of the organisation, added that teams have been formed to monitor neighborhoods for potential violations.Beyond the legal restrictions on livestock, the Dargah's appeal lays emphasis on public order and civic responsibility during the festival. It said sacrifices must be performed only at designated, enclosed locations—never in public spaces, roads or open streets.Strict instructions have been issued to maintain hygiene and properly bury or dispose of animal waste to prevent public health hazards.General secretary Farmaan Hasan Khan also urged the central and state govts to formally declare the cow as India's national animal. According to Khan, such a designation would provide a definitive legal framework to discourage illegal slaughter and curb related criminal activities across the country.