ROURKELA: The ban on animal sacrifice notwithstanding, more than 3,000 goats were sacrificed across the Steel City on Monday on the occasion of Bakrid.
Bakrid is one of the most significant Muslim festivals and all well-to-do Muslim households resort to sacrifice on the day. Thousands of Muslim devotees offered morning ‘Namaaz’ (prayer) at about 15 mosques and a couple of Idgahs across the city and greeted each other before going for the sacrifice ritual at their homes.
Sources said a fortnight ahead of the festival, breeders at Muslim ghettos were seen selling goats at a minimum price of Rs 7,000 to Rs 70,000. In fact, a sizeable section of Muslim families raises goats specifically to be sacrificed during the festival. Community member Altaf Shakeel claimed that at least two healthy goats were sold at Old Station Road near Nala Road for Rs 70,000 each. He said high price is offered on the basis of the animal’s build, look and health.
Shakeel said after the sacrifice, the meat is divided into three equal parts with one part kept by the owner and the second part given to friends, neighbours or relatives. The third part is distributed among the poor.
The city has around 50,000 Muslim population spread across Nala Road, Old Station Road, Koel Bank, Sector-15 and other areas. The sacrifice of goats would continue till Wednesday.