Let Eid-ul-Azha be celebrated in the glory of sacrifice

Eid-ul-Azha means the festival of sacrifice. But the essence of this sacrifice goes far beyond the ritual slaughter of animalist lies in the willingness to give up one’s inner brutality, ego, and selfish desires. Every year, this holy occasion reminds Muslims around the world of the profound values of self-purification and surrender to the will of Allah. In Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country, Eid-ul-Azha is celebrated with the same spiritual significance and festivity as Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid-ul-Azha is also celebrated as a major religious festival in Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country.

Though this festival has been observed for centuries, each year it brings new meaning- as humans constantly strive to overcome their inner instincts and become more compassionate and spiritually refined.

This year, the message of Eid holds deeper relevance for the people of Bangladesh, as we continue to experience divisions- social, political, and ideological. The true sacrifice this Eid demands is not just of animals, but of our pride, ego, and inner arrogance.

Eid teaches us to share what we have with others, especially the less fortunate. But do we truly practice this? Many keep a large portion of the meat of the sacrifice for their relatives and themselves. Too often, a significant portion of the sacrificial meat remains within families and close circles, while the poor receive only a token share. Yet the real beauty of Eid lies in sharing joy equally with all. It is not just meat we must share- we must learn to share whatever goodness we possess. That is the deeper meaning of Qurbani (sacrifice).

The days leading up to Eid create a unique atmosphere across Bangladesh. Animal markets are sitting in different parts of the country, people are preparing to celebrate Eid with their relatives, a kind of excitement is created in every place from the city to the village. But along with this festival, some problems also come back every year - which often dampens our Eid joy. Apart from that, environmental protection and animal welfare are very important issues nowadays. Slaughter of animals on roadsides, dumping of waste in the open, or cruelty to animals - these are not in keeping with our spirit of Eid. Therefore, a culture of environment-friendly and humane sacrifice should be developed now.

It is time we stop treating Eid as merely a ritual. Let us approach it with a sense of social responsibility and compassion. From planned, hygienic slaughtering to greater empathy for the poor—these are the values that should define this festival. At a time when our nation is navigating political uncertainties, let Eid be a moment for renewed unity and a shared commitment to building a better, kinder society.

This year, the Eid holiday spans nearly 10 days. We hope everyone spends it safely and peacefully with loved ones. From Views Bangladesh, we extend our heartfelt Eid Mubarak to all our readers.