"Don't kill cows during Eid": Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind in Assam urges Muslims

Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind's Assam state president and lawmaker Badruddin Ajmal has urged Muslims in the north-eastern state "not to sacrifice cows" during the coming Eid-ul-Azha on July 10.

"India is home to individuals from many different communities, ethnic groups and religions. The Sanatan faith, which worships the cow as a holy symbol, is practiced by the majority of Indians. Hindus consider cow as a mother," he said.

"That is why I appeal to the Muslims not to kill cows during Eid. We strongly object to this practice," according to Ajmal.

He requested the Muslim community to offer the sacrifice using other animals in order to fulfil the religious obligation and avoid hurting the sentiments of others, our New Delhi correspondent reports.

Two years ago, Darul Uloom Deoband, India's largest Islamic seminary, had also issued an appeal to avoid sacrificing cows on Eid-ul-Azha, said Ajmal.

The Assam unit of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind also backed Ajmal's appeal.

Assam government had imposed curbs last year on the sale of beef in areas dominated by non-beef consuming communities and within a 5km radius of temples and 'satras' formed by the 15-16th century saint-reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva.