Kashmir, Eid-ul-Adha and Sacrifice

3 years ago

Truly considered as the day of sacrifice, the Eid ul Azha reminds us the nobility of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), his steadfastness for numerous tests of Allah (swt). This Eid makes me to think of sacrifices made by Kashmiris on various factors, trial upon trial we witnessed tests from Allah. As promised by Allah, all these sacrifices should be followed by gifts. But, we only face wraths every now and then. Kashmiris, who witnessed the turmoil of 1990’s; jolted with 2005 earthquake; got washed away by devastating floods in 2014. All these disasters took so many lives irrespective of age, sex and also our assets- the youths. Without an iota of doubt, if this would have happened to any other nation, it would have become a chapter of history.

Kashmiris remains as an another example of Palestine. Palestine, who celebrated their last Eid with the blasts of bombs and rockets. We had never imagined that this Eid would have same fate for us, not by the bombs but from the devastation caused by floods. This Eid I hear the pains of vialing mothers whose child got carried away by water, I see numerous families who have nothing to shield themselves, the person who used to give Zakat is asking for donations, people who used to give sacrifice of animal have nothing to cook for…

Crore of shopping for bakery and meat was the order of day during Eid in Kashmir which got replaced by crore of displaced families. Traffic jam used to be headline of every daily which reads the trauma of flood aftermath. Shopping clothes was a trendy business for a big dealer as well as poor, who today have either no customers or no products. All this vanished in a glimpse. Kashmir once again is at bottom of curve. We need to rise once again!!!

Being optimistic I have strong belief that everything comes for the good. Kashmiris, have been an example of being hospitable, needs to incalculate some of the virtues which will avail them to relish the gifts after the devastation. Among these includes the virtue of patience, which is tested virtue by the people of wisdom; Steadfatedness, a truly exemplified act which can create wonders; Brotherhood, for the people who lost their lives and home by the recent flood. If these things are realised by Kashmiris no power in this world can make them to rise more than where we were. It is our duty to look for the people who needs at this hour. That will be our Eid this year-that will be our happiness.

The author is Junior Research Fellow at Gandhi Krishi Vigyaan Kendra, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore