Don’t sacrifice cows during Eid: AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal appeals to Muslims ahead of Bakrid

New Delhi: Badruddin Ajmal, the chief of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) in Assam has made an appeal to the Muslim community to avoid cow slaughter/sacrifice during the upcoming Eid-Al-Adha festival (also called Bakrid) on July 10.

The Lok Sabha MP urged the community to refrain from sacrificing cows as the Hindus consider it as their mother and such act will hurt their sentiments.

“India is home to people from many different communities and religions. The Sanatan faith, which worships the cow as a holy symbol, is practiced by the majority of Indians. Hindus believe cow as a mother,” he said.

He also cited the Darul Uloom Deoband’s similar appeal in 2008, where it said that Muslims should stop sacrificing cattle.

He further said that Islam doesn’t call for the killing of any animal while asking Muslims not to kill cows during Eid.

“As giving Qurbani of cows is not binding, it is an appeal to avoid sacrificing cows to make sure that sentiment of majority community is not hurt,” it said.

Ajmal’s appeal for not hurting sentiments of Hindus comes amid the political furore in the country over beheadings in the country over alleged blasphemy.

Ajmal is a three-time Parliamentarian from a Muslim dominated constituency in Assam and has often been seen espousing hardline agenda. His ‘change in stance’ and appeal for stopping cow slaughter has surprised everyone including the Muslim community as well as BJP, which often targets it for alleged support to migrant Bangladeshis.

VHP says this on AIUDF’s appeal

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has welcome the appeal by Muslim leader to stop cow slaughter during Eid. However, he added that the practice of slaughtering cows should be stopped permanently.