New Delhi [India], June 4 (ANI): In view of the upcoming festival of Eid-ul-Adha, the Naib Shahi Imam of Delhi's historic Jama Masjid, Maulana Syed Shaban Bukhari, has issued a special appeal to the Muslim community.

In his message, the Naib Imam urged people to maintain cleanliness and refrain from performing sacrifices in public spaces such as open areas, streets or roads.

In his official statement, Maulana Shaban Bukhari emphasised that during the days of Eid-ul-Adha, Muslims must remain mindful of a few key responsibilities.

He said it is important that no act should hurt the sentiments or beliefs of fellow citizens. Therefore, sacrifices must be conducted only within private premises such as homes or designated enclosures, not on roads or in open spaces.

He further appealed to the community to refrain from photographing or filming the act of sacrifice and strictly advised against uploading such images or videos on social media.

'Islam is a religion of peace. It is our duty to demonstrate this through our conduct by ensuring that no one's emotions are harmed,' he said.

Maulana Bukhari also reiterated that sacrifice is a vital religious obligation that must be fulfilled by all those capable, as it holds immense spiritual significance and has no substitute.

He added that just as festivals like Holi and Diwali are celebrated with dignity across India, Eid-ul-Adha should also be observed with respect and reverence.

The Naib Shahi Imam reminded that Islam teaches respect for all religions and instructs its followers never to hurt the sentiments of others.

Therefore, the ritual of sacrifice must be performed in a way that upholds the rule of law and maintains communal harmony, values that have always been the pride of Islam.

Earlier on Monday, Eidgah Imam Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali issued a comprehensive 12-point advisory to ensure the festival is observed with hygiene, respect, and social responsibility.

He stressed that the blood of the sacrificed animal should not be shed into drains but buried in raw soil so it acts as fertiliser for plants.

The Imam also requested that no videos or photos of the sacrificial ritual be taken or uploaded to social media.

The holy festival of Eid ul-Adha, also known as the 'festival of sacrifice' or Greater Eid, is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic or lunar calendar.

Eid al-Adha is the second Islamic festival of the year and follows Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

The date changes every year, as it's based on the Islamic lunar calendar, which is about 11 days shorter than the Western 365-day Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice everything for God.

Eid al-Adha is called Id-ul-Adha in Arabic and Bakr-Id in the Indian subcontinent, because of the tradition of sacrificing a goat or 'bakri'. It is a festival that is celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety in India.

Muslims wear new clothes and attend an open-air prayer meeting during Id-ul-Zuha. They may sacrifice a sheep or goat and share the meat with family members, neighbours and the poor. (ANI)