Today the Muslim world celebrates Eid-ul-Azha.
It is a day of sacrifice and as such it behooves us to reflect on the ways that we have upheld that spirit in our everyday lives. This day reminds us of the value of sharing, of compassion, and our duty to make life better for those who are less fortunate.
With Bangladesh undergoing severe inflation that has all but seen the underclass being unable to afford even the bare essentials in life, offering even a little help can go a long way to make their lives that much better. But even setting aside our nation’s current economic turmoil, the spectre of poverty has always loomed large for Bangladeshis -- yes the state of our nation’s development is the strongest it has ever been, but it has done nothing to reduce our burgeoning wealth gap.
It is incredibly important that we reflect on these issues and extend a helping hand to those who need it the most.
Today is also a day of immense solemnity, for it is the day when we recall how Prophet Ibrahim’s (PBUH) faith was tested by Allah by sacrificing an animal. However, that solemnity seems to have eroded over time as the way far too many of us treat our sacrificial animals shows a clear lack of empathy by not caring about their pain -- reducing the holy ritual to yet another materialistic occasion.
As Muslims, we must understand that these creatures are living beings as well, capable of fear, pain, and even empathy. As such, the practice of subjecting sacrificial animals to watch in horror as another animal is slaughtered is one that pushes us further away from what this day is all about. As Muslims, we can always be better.
Let us all celebrate this Eid with a renewed commitment to our fellow man, animal, and indeed all living creatures alike.
The Dhaka Tribune wishes Eid Mubarak to all our readers.