Mushtaq Malik, President of Tahreek Muslim Shabban, is contemplating a proposal to urge Muslims to refrain from sacrificing large animals, responding to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent statements on declaring the cow as the national animal and large animal sacrifices during Eid al-Adha. Discussions with various Muslim organizations and community representatives will precede the final decision.
Malik emphasized the importance of respecting religious and cultural beliefs, stating that sentiments towards animals like cows should be acknowledged. He also highlighted the challenges faced by farmers and livestock traders due to disputes over the transportation and trade of large animals, often leading to financial losses.
In light of reported incidents of violence related to cow protection, Malik raised concerns about the actions of self-proclaimed cow protectors and alleged support from certain sections of the administration. Considering these issues, the organization is contemplating avoiding large animal sacrifices during Eid al-Adha this year, pending consultations with stakeholders.
Malik clarified that while ritual sacrifice (Qurbani) is significant in Islam, sacrificing a specific animal is not mandatory. He mentioned the possibility of issuing an appeal to Muslims to abstain from sacrificing large animals during Bakrid, aiming to maintain communal harmony and mutual respect among different societal groups.
