By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Nigerian Muslims have joined their counterparts across the globe to celebrate the 2024 Eid-El-Adha also known as Eid-El Kabir.
The annual festival of Eid al-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice marks the end of the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca by hundreds of millions of Muslims.
It is usually celebrated with prayers offered on the Eid ground, followed by the slaughter of goats, sheep and cattle in commemoration of the Prophet Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his son to show obedience to Allah.
In Lokoja, hundreds of residents from within and outside the town attended the two Rak’at prayers, including the Maigari of Lokoja, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Maikafi and his Hakimis as well as other top-ranking personalities.
The two Rak’at prayers led by the Chief Imam of Lokoja, Sheihk Aminu Shaban at the New market Eid Prayer Ground commenced at about 9:00 am and rounded up at about 10:05 am.
Also in attendance were traditional title holders and religious leaders including top government officials as well as members of the business and political communities in Lokoja.
The Maigari eventually slaughtered his ram meant for sacrifice after the Imam’s sermon.
In Muslim parlance, the festival is the most important feast in the Muslim calendar because it is an occasion to celebrate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Isma’il, in submission to Allah’s command.
In commemoration of this intervention, an animal, usually, a ram, is sacrificed ritually and divided into three parts.
One share is given to the poor and needy, another is kept for home and the third portion is given to relatives.
Earlier before the commencement of the prayer, security was beefed up at the Eid prayer ground.
Security personnel from the Police, the DSS, the NSCDC and other sister security agencies stormed the Eid Prayer Ground to give maximum security for the Maigari, his entourage and other worshippers attending the Eid Prayer.
Nationalwatch Tv observed that the entire parameter fencing of the Eid Prayer Ground was completely surrounded by a team of security personnel deployed by their various agencies with movements of vehicles restricted in the area.
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