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Bakrid is
a symbolic festival of Muslims in Lakshadweep. Paying homage
to the revered Islamic Prophet Ibrahim for his sacrifices
towards the divine power, the Muslim followers on this day
gather in mosques of Lakshadweep to offer prayers. Bakrid is
also significant for the Muslim communities since it is on
this day that the journey to Mecca ended.
The religious records of Islam states that once Prophet
Ibrahim had been asked by the Almighty to offer his son as a
mark of devotion and sacrifice. Determined to sacrifice
Ismail, his son, Prophet Ibrahim took him to the altar and
did the act of sacrifice with his eyes blindfolded. After a
while, when he |
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opened his
eyes he saw his son alive. It is believed that a lamb was
there on the altar instead of Ismail. The traditional
manuscripts of Muslims say that the Almighty was just taking
a test of the intensity of the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim.
As the name suggests, Bakrid is celebrated in Lakshadweep by
slaughtering a bakri or a goat in a mosque. The meat is
later on distributed to the followers of Islam faith as a
token of piousness. It is also said that journey to Mecca
which is known as the holy pilgrimage of Muslim sects all
over the world, ends on the day of Bakrid.
Lakshadweep is a place of colorful festivities. The Muslim
community of Lakshadweep is known to have a major
contribution towards the immense popularity of various
festivals.
Bakrid of Lakshadweep is one such festivals of Muslims which
surely enriches the very tradition of mirth, fun and frolic
in the island.
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