Coimbatore, June 17: The Festival of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha, was celebrated with great enthusiasm and religious devotion across the western Tamil Nadu regions of Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Namakkal, Salem, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, and the Nilgiris. People of all ages, dressed in festive attire, gathered at various Eidgahs across the Kongu belt to participate in the special prayers held between 6:30 am and 9 am, followed by the ritual sacrifice of a goat or cow.
In Coimbatore’s Karumbukkadai, a predominantly Muslim area, the main bazaar has been bustling with activity over the past few days. Readymade garment, textile, and costume shops experienced a surge in business as Eid approached, with makeshift shops lining Saramedu. Women clad in purdah were seen making last-minute purchases the night before Eid.
The expansive grounds of Islamiya Matriculation School saw a turnout of over 10,000 Muslims, including women and children, for the special prayers organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Coimbatore city. Moulana Moulavi Mohammed Ismail Imdhadhi, Chief Imam of Masjidul Ihsan, led the prayers and delivered a sermon on the significance of Eid al-Adha.
In his address, the Imam emphasized the essence of sacrifice in Islam. He quoted the Qur’an, “Verily my worship, my sacrifice, and my life and death are wholly dedicated to Allah, Lord of the worlds” (Surah Al-An’am 6:162), and elaborated on how sacrifice in Islam encompasses various aspects of life. He reminded the congregation that Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to Allah, who ultimately replaced Ismail with a sheep.
The Imam highlighted that the true spirit of Eid al-Adha lies not just in the ritual sacrifice of animals, but in the willingness to give up worldly attachments for the sake of Allah. This, he said, is the profound lesson of the festival.
Following the prayers, the Imam prayed for global peace and brotherhood. Participants exchanged Eid greetings and embraced each other in a display of unity and joy. JIH President PS Umar Farook, along with other executives and Public Relations Secretary Abdul Hakim, were present to join the celebrations.
