Avoid cow slaughter on Eid-ul-Azha, says Dar-ul-Uloom

Leading Islamic seminary Dar-ul-Uloom has suggested to Muslims in the country that they avoid slaughtering cows on Eid-ul-Azha as a mark of respect to the religious beliefs of Hindus.

The appeal has been supported by the All India Organisation of Imams of Mosques, which had earlier asked Muslims to put black ribbons on their shoulders as a symbol of their solidarity and grief for the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks.

In a booklet detailing the concept of qurbani or sacrifice on the occasion of Bakri-Eid, brought out by Deoband-based Dar-ul-Uloom, the seminary has advised Muslims to refrain from sacrificing cows to avoid hurting sentiments of the Hindus.

"They (Muslims) may slaughter other animals that are approved by the Shariah," the booklet said, asking Muslims to respect the sentiments of other Indians.

Established in 1866, Dar-ul-Uloom is the most respected school of Islamic teaching in the subcontinent.

AIOIM President Hazrat Moulana Jameel Ahmed Ilyasi said slaughtering cows hurts the sentiments of Hindus and "we should not do anything that will disturb communal harmony in the country".

Ilyasi also asked Imams all around the country to pray for the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks during Eid prayers and express solidarity with Mumbaikars.

"They should pray to the Almighty during Eid prayers for restoring peace in the country," Ilyasi said.

"All those who were killed in Mumbai were innocent. We should stand by their families in their time of grief and pray to the Almighty to give strength to bear the untimely loss of their dear ones," Ilyasi said.

The body had earlier appealed to Muslims to celebrate the festival in a sober way and put black ribbons on their shoulders to show their grief and solidarity with Mumbaikars.

It also asked all clerics to denounce terrorism and the brutal killing of Jews and other other innocents in Mumbai attacks.