Say no to beef this Bakrid, say Muslim clerics

While pointing out that there were better alternatives for animal sacrifice, Muslims clerics have openly come out advising the community to avoid sacrifice of not only cows, but bulls as well this Bakrid, which will be celebrated in September.

There has been growing unrest amongst the community after cases of mob-lynching increased of late, prompting even the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to react. Some sections of the intelligentsia, believed it would do no harm, if one avoids beef in their diet.

But, these voices were feeble and remained unheard. Nevertheless, with the festival of animal sacrifice approaching, some of the Ulema have decided to openly suggest the community to voluntarily avoid sacrifice of ‘big animal’. The move, according to clerics, will help in thwarting the atrocities on Muslims by ‘so called Gaurakshaks’ transporting these animals for holy sacrifice during the Muslim festival Eid-ul-Azha (Bakrid).

Interestingly, the idea is backed by Muslim clerics of different school of thoughts including Ahle-Sunnat and Ahle-Hadees. They held that Muslims have been cooperating by showing respect towards other communities and avoiding cow slaughter altogether for the last few years. However, trucks carrying, bulls are now being attacked and atrocities have increased exponentially.

“Since human life is more precious, we are asking people to avoid beef, as there are other alternatives,” said Maulana Syed Hamid Hussain Shuttari, spokesman of All India Sunni Ulama Board.

The decision according to him, was devoid of any political pressure or apprehensions from the any Hindutva forces but rather is a strategic move to stand firm in challenging times like these.

“If Muslims stop eating beef, there will be problem of growing livestock population, their fodder and there would be huge losses and animal trade would decline as a consequence. Within two to three years, there would be a situation when government would come and ask us to continue with the dietary habits.” he added.

To back this argument, the recent case of Chhattisgarh was pointed out where 200 cows in a gowshala maintained by BJP leader were allegedly deprived of fodder and starved to death. “Most of the major slaughter houses exporting beef in India that are owned by the Hindu community will suffer from the decision of voluntary beef ban”, said Dr Syed Asif Omeri, vice president, Jamiat Ahle Hadees.

Prior to the decision of clerics, who are now openly coming with the idea, some moderate voices from the community also expressed a similar opinion, explaining that beef was an end product and consumed not only by Muslims, but also Dalits and other economically weaker sections who cannot afford meat.

Ilyas Shamshi, Reformers Front of India, held that Muslims have nothing to lose from the decision, as most beef-eaters comprise of different sections of the society and the livestock is sold at desperate times by a farmer. “It would not be a tough decision on the part of the community to voluntarily avoid beef. Muslims are end consumers and implications on business would not have major impact on community,” he said.

By Md Nizamuddin