Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind issues Bakrid guidelines: follow law, maintain cleanliness
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind on Saturday, 23 May released a comprehensive set of guidelines ahead of Bakrid (Eid ul-Adha), urging Muslims across India to perform Qurbani (animal sacrifice) in strict compliance with government regulations and local administration directives. The appeal was issued by the organisation's president, Mahmood Asad Madani, who called for religious observance to be paired with civic responsibility and communal harmony.
Key Directives Issued
In his statement, Madani underscored the religious significance of Qurbani, describing it as 'an important Islamic act of worship, obligatory on every Muslim of means,' with 'no alternative to it during the days of sacrifice.' He urged every eligible Muslim to fulfil this obligation while remaining within the bounds of the law.
Crucially, he warned that 'sacrifice of animals prohibited by law should be strictly avoided,' and directed members of the community to adhere to all legal procedures governing the purchase, sale, and transportation of sacrificial animals.
Hygiene and Public Sanitation
A significant portion of the guidelines focused on cleanliness and waste disposal. Madani appealed to the community to ensure that animal remains are never discarded on roads, streets, or drains. 'Arrangements should be made to safely transport them to designated places in plastic bags,' he said, adding that 'full cooperation should be extended to the municipal and sanitation workers in this regard.'
He also urged people to ensure that religious practices 'do not cause inconvenience or discomfort to others' — a message directed at both civic conduct and neighbourly relations during a high-visibility festival period.
Social Media Restraint Urged
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind explicitly advised community members to refrain from posting photographs or videos of the sacrifice on social media platforms. 'Sharing photos and videos of sacrifice on social media should be strictly avoided,' Madani stated. This guidance reflects growing awareness of how such content can inflame communal sentiment online, particularly in the days surrounding major religious festivals.
Communal Harmony and Legal Recourse
Addressing the possibility of communal provocation during the festival period, Madani urged restraint and patience. 'If any local area faces provocation, threats, or harassment from communal elements, exercise patience, restraint, and understanding, and immediately file a complaint with the relevant police station or administration. Under no circumstances should the law be taken into one's own hands,' he said.
He further assured the community that if any obstacles arise regarding the performance of Qurbani, people should contact Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind or its local units for assistance and guidance. This comes amid a broader national context in which religious festivals have, on occasion, been accompanied by localised tensions — making pre-emptive outreach by community organisations increasingly significant.
Broader Significance
The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind guidelines reflect a pattern of proactive community leadership ahead of major Muslim festivals, aimed at pre-empting administrative friction and reducing the potential for communal discord. With Bakrid observed across India by millions of Muslims, the organisation's reach — spanning local units in multiple states — gives such advisories considerable practical weight. All eyes will now be on how local administrations and communities coordinate in the days leading up to and following the festival.