The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) issued guidelines for the Eid-ul-Azha festival on July 21. The civic body has arranged the slaughter of large animals at Motha Gaon in Uttan, while small animals can be sacrificed at mutton shops between certain timing intervals. However, there will be no special relaxation on the occasion and asked the citizens to follow the COVID norms while celebrating the Bakri-Eid.
“Bakri-Eid or Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated by the Muslim community and there is a custom to sacrifice animals on this occasion. Considering the contagious situation caused by COVID-19, the state government has decided to celebrate Bakri-Eid simply this year,” said an official from MBMC, adding that guidelines in this regard were already issued by the state government.
As per the guidelines for Eid-ul-Azha, all religious activities are banned due to COVID-19. Accordingly, the citizens should perform the prayers at their homes, not in mosques or public places and avoid large gatherings.
Currently, operating livestock markets will remain closed. If the citizens want to buy animals, they are advised to do so either online or through mobile phones. This should be done two days before the festival.
While emphasising symbolic sacrifices, the civic body has appealed to citizens to not crowd public places on the occasion.
A temporary slaughterhouse has been arranged to sacrifice the large animals at Uttan’s Motha Goan in Bhayandar (West). The administration appealed to the Muslims to take advantage of that facility.
However, for small animals mutton shops have been allowed to provide the service between 7 am to 7 pm on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of July. This should be done by strictly following the Covid-19 norms.
While keeping the animals in the residential complexes or apartment premises, utter hygiene should be maintained concerning public health.
MBMC appeal
“It will be mandatory to comply with the rules prescribed by the authority, to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Also, if any further instructions are issued post this circular, they will have to be complied with. Help the police and municipal employees by strictly following the guidelines,” appealed Dilip Dhole, Municipal Commissioner, MBMC.
