The city will rise to the loud chants of Takbir on Friday as the Islamic faithful gather for the morning prayers to celebrate Bakrid (Eid-al-Adha).
The parade ground at Fort Kochi, Marine Drive at Menaka and Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor will host a large gathering of believers as they come together for the early morning prayers.
This is also a time to share camaraderie and greet each other.
Kerala Nadwathul Mujahideen (KNM), a Salafi Islamic organization, will conduct Eidgah at Kaloor stadium at 7.45 a.m. where Shereef Melethil will deliver the ‘Khutba’.
At Marine Drive, the prayers will begin at 8 a.m. followed by the speech of Khatib Sirajudheen. KNM will also organize Eidgah at Municipal Stadium ground, Aluva at 7.45 a.m.
Keeping with the traditions of the festival, each family will arrive in new clothes to offer prayers after which a goat, sheep or cow is sacrificed and distributed among family and friends as well as to the destitute.
They also carry out charitable acts to ensure that all, including the poor can partake in the festival.
Shalu Irani, a resident of Fort Kochi, said, “The act of shaking hands and hugging each other at the end of the morning prayers creates a sense of peace as it symbolises the brotherhood that exists in our community.”