Avoid cow slaughter on Eid, appeals Muslim cleric

"We live in a country where Hindu brethren are in the majority and their religious sentiments should be fully respected. It is my appeal to Muslims to completely restrain from sacrificing cow on the Eid-ul-Azha," Sadiq said.

He said, "for Shia Muslims a fatwa was issued after Independence in which sacrificing cow was termed prohibited in the country and the community members do not practice the same."

Meanwhile, 'Nayab Mohatamim' (pro vice-chancellor) of Islamic Seminary Dar-ul-Uloom Deoband Maulana Abdul Khaliq Madrasi said that the institution had earlier also said this that in the states where there was ban on cow slaughter Muslims should avoid sacrificing the animal.

He said that though it was strongly opposed, but the institution was firm on its stand.

Maulana Madrasi said that this has been published by Dar-ul-Uloom in the book related to issues pertaining to sacrifice.

He said that while literate class try to follow the advice of the Islamic institutions on the issue of sacrificing cow, greater awareness was lacking in the illiterate class.

He said that followers of Hindu religion rever the cow, in such a situation Muslims should avoid sacrificing the animal.