People buy sewai on the eve of Id-uz-Zoha from a roadside shop on Friday. Picture by UB Photos For Id delicacies, see G2

Oct. 26: Peace and sacrifice for a noble cause will be the mantra when Muslims celebrate Id-uz-Zoha tomorrow.

Id-uz-Zoha is part of the Muslim ritual of pilgrimage to Mecca and celebrated on the 10th day of the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar Dhul-Hijjah.

Every year Muslims from all over the world visit the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, home of Prophet Muhammad to perform Haj. More than 4,000 pilgrims from the Northeast left Guwahati last month to perform the pilgrimage.

Anowar Hussain, imam of Burah Jame Masjid in Ambari said the festival is observed to honour the willingness of prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son Ismail as an act of submission to Allah.

“Prophet Ibrahim loved Allah so much that he was even to ready to sacrifice his son. But before his son’s sacrifice, Allah intervened to provide Ibrahim with a ram to sacrifice instead. The act implies the human value of sacrifice for the sake of good and holy things. In the present day, Id-uz-Zoha has great relevance and teaches us to be ready to offer supreme sacrifice for the cause of humanity,” Hussain said.

He said there would be a prayer at the mosque tomorrow for lasting peace in Assam and the rest of the country.

According to rituals, Muslims will attend morning prayers at their local mosques and idgahs. Namaz will be followed by families and friends exchanging greetings and gifts. “After the exchange of greetings, members of the family make arrangements for the slaughter of an animal. The meat will then be distributed among beggars and poor who cannot afford two meals a day,” Hussain said.

Sadiqul Islam, secretary of Lakhtokia Masjid number 1, said the festival signifies the willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the right and noble path as shown by Allah. He said the festival teaches people to make small sacrifices, giving up things of pleasure for the greater cause of society and humanity.

“We will all pray for peace, unity and brotherhood at the mosque after completing the Id namaz,” Islam said.

City police have made elaborate arrangements to prevent any untoward incident during the Id celebrations.