Great capture

This picture is only showing a surface energy both towards the sacrifice and of love towards the animal. The heartfelt energy is not to be seen, and in fact is not there. Sorry

Beautiful!

A poor animal being taken to slaughter shows the spirit of love and sacrifice? It's a sad picture and not much more.

Talking a day after 'Thanksgiving' -- a pagan barbaric practice of animal sacrifice as a mass scale slaughter of poor Turkeys -- I would say that a mass scale animal slaughter of goats, sheep, cows, and camels on Eidul Adha is no less barbaric in the eyes of a non vegetarian animal lover. The children of Ibrahim the Jews long abandoned the original practice almost 2 thousand years ago -- but the Muslims, the other kids of Ibrahim still continue it.

I think this picture depicts that persons who are least educated in Pakistan are the most successful and can afford expensive sacrifical animals...

The rest of the world should learn from Pakistan how to love animals.

Hope this eid brings peace for other comunity's also in Pkaistan.

I do realize that Muslims have been sacrificing animals because it is a Sunna rather than a compulsory obligation since time immemorial. However, a requirement to sacrifice animals had been removed after Judaism. Thus, the act of sacrifice leaves a very bad taste, especially when the animals sacrificed are not being used to feed the poor and the meat is stored in refrigerators for personal consumption. Surely, the act of sacrifice can be fulfilled better by giving alms if desired rather than by killing animals. The state of animals in Islamic countries and attitudes of Muslims saddens nearly everyone.

Whose spirit of love and for what? Whose sacrifice and for what? This is just a brutal example of injustice in the chain of life, where the fittest is glorified through the mantras of love and sacrifice.

Heart wrenching..to say the least. The guy is kissing goodbye to the animal in return for money while the unsuspecting anial does not know it is going to be slaughtered for no fault of the animal. Infact the milk from the cow feeds the same human's babies. What kind of sacrificial ritual is this? We as humanity need to wake up and ask ourselves what we achieve by offering such sacrifices. The same can be achieved by meditating, reflecting on ones self, be loving and peaceful to fellow humans and animals. I am sure Allah cares for the animals on the planet. In any case they are bought and sold for millions of rupees which could very well be spent for a good cause like schools for women, better roads, cheaper sugar, cleaner sewage, warmer clothes for winter, home for homeless children. How can anyone see a 6ft live animal cringe and die in front of their eyes? This is plain wrong atleast where civilization has evolved. We can't be so selfish about our entering the gates of heaven at the cost of thousands of lives on this planet. We gotto be more selfless and think of the planet at large. This tradition of killing animals must end whether it is turkey or chicken or cow or pig.

in a way it does depict the spirit of eid ul azha but looks like more of a show off image rather then a spirit of sacrifice

The aim of sacrifice, like all other fundamentals of Islam, is to imbibe piety and self righteousness. It also promotes the spirit of sacrifice for a right cause. To explain its purpose, God says in the Quran. ?It is not their meat, nor their blood, that reaches God, It is their piety that reaches God?: (22:37)

Zabiha is an indispensable act expected from Muslims to make the flesh of an animal eatable. This act is inherited from Prophet Ibrahim who slaughtered the animal under Islamic direction and only then he ate the meat. It is forbidden in Islam to cut any part of a living animal and eat without slaughtering the whole. Eid Mubarak To All Muslims All Over the World

Killing / slaughtering an innocent animal is no way to behave human. There must be better ways to display a spirit of sacrifice - go work for a week among the poor and needy.

simply awesome pic.........yes this pic shows the true spirit of EID

What love and sacrifice is there in brutally slaughtering a helpless animal that was freshly purchased from the butcher only for a tradition?

kissing the animal that is to be killed for meat in the name of sacrifice and posing with it before being brutally slaughtered...is this the "spirit" of this festival? how about letting the animal live and showing the spirit of love instead?

I love this picture for it shows that it is not the case that we muslims love to slaughter animals.

If sacrificing innocent animals constitute 'love and sacrifice' how bad this festival must be for the poor animals. I am no scholar of the Muslim scripture but I read that caging a bird is not permitted. If that is true then where is the possibility that sacrificing an animal can be legitimate. As long as animal slaughter continues human slaughter will continue.

I am a Hindu based in the UK. In the recent past it seemed as if terrorism was really identifiable with Islam! Not this picture alone, Islam needs urgently to project its finer side - the mughlai food, the rich Urdu language, the royal nazakat,the rich culture and so on and on- to take over from terrorists. So the modern and moderate muslims should come forward and do the hard work. Only that can ensure a secure future for all the muslim children around the world.

Yes, this picture speaks a thousand words.

I guess him like a fatherly figure to me. The man who kisses the bull on his head. When i was in my village we used to play with bulls, cows and buffalloes. We used to go in vast lands around our villages and used to gossip while cattle would grow till the end of the day. It brings back to me the memoirs when there would be the Eid and the animals would be sacrificed. I can imagine the power of this picture. GB

If he really wants to sacrifice, why doesn't he sacrifice himself!

Sadly for me it is slitting an animal's throat and watching it's life drain out - the only part of Eidul Azha I do not like. My American colleagues think this is barbaric and taliban-like. I try to explain that this is noble sacrifice - someday they will understand.

Of course, this picture articulate of sacrifice the animal for the sake of God and also gives the image of Muslim religious event. It describes the faith and true believer of one God. In addition, it reminds Muslim to remember the existence of God. However, this Eid tradition is showing the image of brutally slaughter the animals, but this is also showing the faith of Muslim that they are united whenever their God message comes to them. In my view to slaughter the animal in Eid is not the nonproliferation of animal. It is for to help less fortunate people, who do not have livelihood and they could participate with all Muslims celebration together.

If ask same question to some molvi he would probably say that taking a picture is "haram" and "kufr".

KISS OF DEATH

This is just sadistic.

It is easy to sacrifice a poor animal (no disrespect meant to Islam; I do understand the natural need for us to eat animals). However, the real lesson that we must learn from Eid al Adha is to suppress our ego, sacrifice our personal wants at the alter of larger social inerest. If for each 1000 cows sacrificed on this day, only one person committed to change himself for the better, we will not be far behind the "first world" countries in material advancement. Morally, we wil leave them far behind in no time. If only this dream became a reality!

Just look at those hungry eyes.

This picture only depicts a selfish human being that is interested in paying his way into God's good books. He wasn

Isnt it brutal to celebrate animal sacrifice ? And you call it 'spirit of love and sacrifice' ? ha !!

Can we really please Allah with the sacrifice of Animals? Million of rupees were spent only in Kaba on Eid day, instead we could have made Islamic Universities or Islamic Microfinance Bank. In my opinion we could have collected funds from all over Muslim world and do one symbolic sacrifice of animal and with other funds we could have built Hospitals, Schools, Universities, Microfinance Bank which can provide interest free loans, free education, free health care because every year Muslims will contribute billions of dollar on this day, I strongly believe that after 10 years Muslims have enough funds, enough knowledge and enough health to stand in front of any nation in the world.

It capture's the man's emotions well. Not sure about the animal. Not sure if animals have emotions, soul, religion, and all such things we are so much proud of...

From kids to teenagers to adults -- everyone enjoys this Eid. The pic does demonstrate the Eid jubilations that start days before the Eid. But sometimes the real motive of sacrifice is replaced with the version of flamboyance and wealth demo.

The pictures only shows this man is about to make a million by selling this particular animal, i dont see love or affection in his eyes, i see greed fostering in the name of religion, our public is so naiive they can get fooled by anything.

Is this bull goin to slaughter house? Then why this man is so happy. Greed :( it's very ridiculous.

Can our religions evolve to keep pace with the times? This wholesale killing of animals is not only barbaric, but also a disaster for the environment. Ten kg of greens produce just one kg of meat. Can there be anything more wasteful than this? Can't we all try to turn vegetarian instead? Our mother earth will thank us for it.

This picture is pure evil. There is perversion in those eyes.

This is Disgusting, brutal and barbaric. I am no expert in (Islam). But I am a human, who have emotions like love, sympathy and compassion. Why can

You could easily be a Leo Tolstoy (War & Peace) if you could do justice to this topic of Sacrifice & Love!

Killing an animal is not a way of showing sacrifice at all.

We have made our religion a ritual only what comes from understanding the real sense of sacrifice is gone, who can do better than the other in showing off is the word of the day! We can all do so much more than just sacrifice animals.

It is nothing but barbaric. Most religions follow this unholy act of animal sacrifice. How can God be brought down to human levels by shedding blood in His name?

Posing in front of camera is different thing. Allah knows every person intention. Without kissing an animal a person's intention is more valuable in front of Allah.

Somehow it seems to be a barbaric act to me. Sacrifice in name of god never means killing innocent animals and enjoying the death. These pictures always compel me to think that if the essence of religion itself is so horrendous then what would we expect better as a social behavior. Just imagine the impact of these barbaric scenes of gruesome killing of a living creature in to young kids.

Aren't the animals killed also creation of ALLAH? What is common between Thanks Giving of USA and EID UL AZAH? USA gives thanks but it is millions of "turkey fowl" who pay with their life. Similarly Muslims calibrate EID and millions of animals "pay with their life". Is it bothering anyone that it is USA and MUSLIMS who are the biggest threat to world peace? Both "celebrate by killing"?

Nice picture. But let us go beyond sacrificial lamb here. If someone has to sacrifice something, it should be pride, anger, greed, attachment, or lust which has corrupted so many. Be compassionate to spare this animal live its life and you will get the happiness that the money can't buy. Happy Eid to all.

This picture speaks volumes about the great ideology of supperessing and killing the innocent beings. I see inhumanity in the picture and nothing else.

Many argue that others do not have the intelligence to understand the deep meaning of such a sacrifice. This man is clearly far more intelligent than those who do not understand, right? On the other hand many believe it requires exceptional courage and it is macho-ness.

The innocent bull or cow is common Pakistani. The kiss is of alien desert land armed legions whom we call religion. What is being sacrificed is local culture of non-violence which was promoted by Hindus, Sikhs, Jainas and Buddhists. Truly Pakistan sacrificed wisdom centers of Taxila and Kashmir of sages to become barbaric Bedouin land. In desert land grains, fruits and vegetables do not grow so animals are needed for human survival. But even there it does not make economic and environmental sense, because compared to vegetable diet, animal flesh needs 8 times mineral and other soil resources and about 700 times water in kilograms or pounds to develop it. Energy efficiency (amount of energy retrieved by digesting the food / amount of energy spent on digesting) for vegetable diet is much larger than non-vegetable diet. Fish is better non-vegetable if one lives near ocean or sea.

I do not for a fleeting moment accept the emotion depicted in this picture to mean

This is barbaric. How about sacrificing our parochial thoughts and letting the innocent animal live in the name of Allah the merciful? Is the Almighty going to be pleased by brutally slitting the throat of an innocent animal who has as much right to live as we have?

Just ask the question to animal you are showing! Can you guess what it means to him/her?

I bet none of the self-righteous people condemning the 'brutality' here subsist on organically grown veggies and fruits only. Talk about hypocrisy.

It is scientifically proven that Vegetarian Diet is good for the Body & Mind. So GO GREEN, AVOID MEAT, LIVE HEALTHY!!! :)

Can I ask all those who have taken this opportunity to take another shot at Muslims/Islam. Do we have an estimated figure about how many animals/birds are killed for consumption in the whole world in a year. If Muslims sacrifice animals for couple of days in a year to fulfill a religious obligations it becomes barbaric and disgusting. How come the McDonalds, KFCs and other food outlets are earning billions of dollars in USA, western world and other parts of the world. On Christmas do people shed tears for the animals before eating Turkeys or ham? Many of these people would just shrug shoulders on the killing of civilians by American drones but found sacrificing the animals as brutal and barbaric.

Nobody has any right to hurl insulting remarks on any religion be it Islam, Hinduism, Christianity etc. Every religion is dear to its followers. The readers should try to understand that this Eid marks the sacrifice that Abraham was about to give (of his son Ismail). It is true that blood and flesh of the sacrificed animal does not reach to God but it is the love for god that is essential. Even when you are parting with money or any other valuable item for the sake of seeking God's mercy it is a sacrifice. By sacrificing animal the Muslim nations try to give food to those people that do not get it normally. For a sacrifice to be accepted it is must that ascertain share of the meat must be given to the needy. How many of us do not eat meat. We all are consuming fish, goat, and cows so why so much fuss if we are performing a religious act religiously.

What emotion and feeling other than brutality, barbarism, and cruelty will be received by the innocent mind of Muslim's kids which will continue to reflect in the rest part of their life. Unfortunately, rational people in Muslim society who realize this are quite few and even they are quite hesitant to come forward and condemn such rituals. How great Allah can be pleased by seeing the brutal killing of these helpless and voiceless which are also his very much creation as we human are.

Why do I love my little puppy even if it never listens to me? It spoils all my flowers, defecates in my veranda, and hides my shoes everywhere and I still feed it everyday. Do I expect the dog to bow to me and cry out loud how grateful I am to him? Do I expect the dog to continually pamper me with beautiful speeches? No. So why do I still love the dog? The dog is not even made in my own image, so why love the dog? Now ask yourself the question of what will happen if you do not bow to God everyday or offer him great praises or scarifies? God is as merciful He will continue to love you unconditionally, just like your parents do. Think about it.

Islamic mode of sacrifice has been the subject of much criticism in the world. However, consider the following: No method of killing the animal is as 'pain free' for the animal as the Islamic method is. Because the nerves are responsible for the feeling of pain are severed. The spinal chord is left intact and blood supply is left to come out as draining blood makes the animal very near to germ free, (blood is excellent source of germs) The animal does not writhe and shake from pain. It writhes because of the lack of blood. Infact, once the throat and wind pipe is cut, the animal does not feel any pain at all. (Unlike the beheading of animals where the animal feels tremendous pain). Further, the meat from the sacrificial animal is necessary to be distributed to the needy which contribute to the society as a whole. Indeed, the Islamic spirit of sacrifice is unparalleled on both, human and societal aspects. Those leveling allegations, with no offence meant, are ignorant of the way slaughtering of animals is done far more brutally and painfully then that done in the Muslim communities.

Just wanted to jog everyone's memory and those calling Islam the religion of death: 'The Gadhimai festival, celebrated every five years, is attended by many Hindus from India as well as Nepal. More than 200,000 buffaloes, pigs, goats, chickens and pigeons are expected to be slaughtered this year on Nov. 24 and 25.' The Islamic way of slaughtering btw: throat and both jugular veins are cut quickly with a sharp knife. Neither the spinal cord is to be severed nor the neck bone broken until after the animal has ceased to move, in fear that pain may caused. Other forms of slaughter such as bludgeoning, electrocution, and driving of a spike through the animals cranium are explicitly forbidden. We all know how the meat in our burgers in the US, UK makes it way to the buns. NOTE: Sacrifice in Islam does not mean that ALLAH will be looking down satisfied with the blood and gore. It is the only logical way that people might actually get down to donating not only meat but also money to the poor.

Animals don't have any religion; they are smarter than that.

I think majority of these people posting ignorant comments forget that Eid ul Adha reduces starvation in Pakistan to almost 5 percent, this is because the meat is distributed among the poor.

A true sacrifice would be if all people (not just Muslims) looked within them to honestly question how they live their lives and do the introspection that God demands from us. If the killers of animals truly understood the meaning of sacrifice, we wouldn't have small children and others looking onto gruesome scenes of glee while killing animals. Secondly, Zabiah / Halal is a set of Rules prescribed in the Qoran. The killers of today only understand a small part of the rules. If they really followed the rules and laws of Halal, they wouldn't be brandishing knives in front of the animals before killing them, nor would they do this in front of other animals.

I think it is fine to slaughter and consume meat. After all, the food chain is an absolute essential for a stable ecosystem. I am not sure why people want to justify it? Eat and be merry. There is nothing wrong with that. In all religions (including mine), people try to justify practices on the basis of their religion. I find that amusing (to put it mildly) -Pradeep

Mika, I bet you wouldn't feel any pain if someone to slit your throat. By continuing a practice of pagan, Islam lost its moral authority of being a religion of peace, hurt no one, but anyone in the name of Islam.

I think our way of sacrifice is the best it is the day when we sacrifice goats, cows, camel, sheep etc. On the specified days of Dhul Hijjah for seeking the pleasure of Allah (SWT). The meat is distributed among family friends and the poor. It reminds us of the great sacrifice offered by Prophet Ibrahim. Look at the eyes of the poor when we give them something to fill their hunger. I love it. Because the whole year I am so busy in my job and chores that I don't have time to visit the destitute and the orphans. And talking about being barbaric what would you say when you are eating a part of a lobster and it is running away to save his life or when you eat the poor live fish with its mouth still moving while people cut it and season it and eat it live .you can see it all on you tube. Once I saw people eating live sliced snake pieces moving on the plate. Now that is very barbaric and terrifying to the heart and soul. Conclusion is that the Muslim way is the best.

I loved meat. Could not live without it. But I am convinced that you leave a smaller ecological foot print if you are a vegetarian. The argument seems logical- an animal eats several kilograms of vegetation before it delivers a kilogram of meat for human consumption. Research also proves that cattle are the biggest emitters of methane- much bigger polluters than say aircraft. The logic is sound, but kebabs taste so much better than Pakoras. I hope my sacrifice of giving up meat and becoming a vegetarian is accepted.

@Mika To jog every one's memory this is not about Islam's way of spilling blood versus Hindu way, or any other way. ANY way of spilling blood is bad. Animals are as much a creation of god as human beings. The focus on Islam is unfortunate, but real caused by the apparent reckless spilling of human blood by Islamic jihadists. One could argue that this happens every where, why blame Islam specially? The reason is this: where ever else it happens, the society is not approving it, and the government tries very hard to bring those criminals to justice and put them behind bars. Only in Pakistan and many other 'Muslim' countries these criminals are glorified as 'jihadists' and the government treats them as 'strategic assets'. You can start first with not killing humans. In time, over many generations, you may get to the point of not killing animals.

Think for a second what would be your feelings if it was the "cow kissing the MAN" and the man was to be sacrificed to please GOD. If ALLAH had willed it, it could very well have been that way- for he is all powerful.

Ya Allah, Ya Payagmabar Mohammad, I beg to pardon the person in the picture for performing this act due to ignorance. Ya Allah, Great Almighty, you have made available plenty of food on earth. Let him distribute that on this great festival, not the killing of poor animal. O mere Khuda, tera noor is garib janwar mein bhi hai. Use kaat ke mein tujhe kya aada kar sakata hun?

There is no way of killing is pain-free. I am not practicing Islam so I am not aware about what exactly Islam says about food intake. But I take word "Sacrifice" is sacrificing our own desires and wishes. Our wishes and desires are the main enemies between soul and absolute form of Allah. We all talk about peace. But from where it will come when people are consuming meat. Humans are not allowed to kill any animals. I completely disagree that some religions allowing people to eat meat. The founders of the particular religions are full of love and compassion how they can tell someone to hurt or kill innocent animals. (Here I want to mention again I am not Muslim and Not practicing Islam) We humans interpret some statement of saintly people differently. The way we felt comfortable. When we eat Veggies that time we also kills some form of animals. But those are least form of consciousness-only water content. So in all religion says some sort of sacrifice is allowed to achieve higher goal. And what is our HIGHER GOAL IS. Merge ur soul with absolute form of God. That is the purpose of Human existence.

As always this has become an Islam bashing forum. Did anyone see the love and passion in the eyes of the person in the picture? Does anyone else know how sacrificial animals are treated by their owners before being sacrificed? I for one know that they are treated ROYALLY! Better than any pig or cow or goat on the western world. I know about families spending tons of money on the best feed for the animals while the animals are in their homes. It is common that people feed sweets, nuts and fruits to these sacrificial animals too! So please leave your hypocritical Islam bashing to yourself. Have you people in the west ever wondered how much pain a hunted animal goes through when it gets shot, or how much trauma a fish goes through when its hooked onto a line?

Mr Canadian Bird needs to widen his research about vegetable food being good for mind and body. Its the combination of vegetable and non vegetable food which is the ideal combination and is good for health. Discarding non vegetable food, a person is definitely not enjoying the one of the many good things, The Creator has provided to us.

Well said 'MIKA' I hope this will enable our neighbors to assess my religion in a different light instead of looking at it from a negative angle. The negative vides are indeed noticeable in their BOLLYWOOD ventures. On second thoughts I guess this is the hottest selling masala these days.

I am not a learned man. I have only some small knowledge in a few fields. One of them is history of the subcontinent. Mass ritual slaughter of animals began in India only after Ghauri invaded. Killing animals for food may be theoretically accepted, as soon as we accept our evolutionary origins. And then again, we should stop when our belly is full. Economics-wise, of course, it is just senseless to eat non-wild meat (fish would be different). Of course, we would simultaneously assign ourselves the biological status of ants, bears, chimpanzee

Hindus also have such barbaric culture of sacrificing animals. But it is barbaric, I have seen few sacrificing symbolic something, instead of animals. Barbarism can go away, without giving up the custom by making such rituals symbolic. Vegetarianism is not only good for mind and body, but it is also more humane.

Dear Mika and Syed Akif Shoaib As per your arguments, death sentence should be carried out by Islamic way of slaughter Why bother hanging, bullets, electrocution or injections, Just slit the wind pipe

Kill what You Love? You kiss the animal, show it love and affection, nurture it with delicious green grass, betray its trust in you, approach it lovingly --- and then you kill it? Is this why killing comes easily to Muslims worldwide? Are they taught when they are very young, to personally take care of a living creature, and then kill it? Do observant Muslims (not all Muslims, just the ones who live by the book and practice blindly) have an intimate, personal view of killing? There's a big emotional difference between buying meat in a shop and killing a goat with your own bare hands. Is every one taught by the followers of this religion to kill what they love? That picture should make the 'faithful' think. This is the 21st century, not the 7th.

The law of nature is "eat each other and grow". There is no word of mercy in the dictionary of Mother Nature. God sends tsunamis, cyclones, hurricanes, floods and earth quakes to kill millions living beings in seconds and minutes. Every living being feeds on another living being. Man kills chicken and eats them. How many chickens are slaughtered or suffocated in the world on daily basis, who knows and who cares. Every living thing has to die. Why not useful death. Plants are also living things. Why not mercy for them. I think all this mercy is due to seeing of blood shedding, causing fear and scare and hence concerns. Muslims need to make arrangements to slaughter their animals on EID not in open places and also arrange the meat to reach to starved people of the world to make it more beneficial and useful.

First thing first. Two wrong

Sacrificing animals in Islam is wrong. People who call it religion of peace are wrong. Religion like Hinduism, Jainism & Buddhism which originated from India encourages people to live a vegetarian life in order to show compassion towards harmless animals which have the same senses and feelings as human beings. Islam is a religion which prepare Muslims to live a violent life through the festivals like Eid

This picture depicts bad taste of holy festival. All religions meant to evolve with time thru its followers unfortunately, some religions are still being practiced the way it was 1500 years ago. I won

Well, Mr. Rahman, unless your American colleagues are vegetarian, they should not judge. They have no compunctions when it comes to butchering animals in the most in-humane way and they want to cast stones? In the interests of full disclosure, such cruelty has turned me into a vegetarian. With our cuisine, who needs meat?

Hi Mika, How would you feel, if you were to do the honor of being the object of sacrifice in a tribe where human sacrifice in the name of religion is prevalent. What would be your argument to stop the slaughter man? How would you feel if some one was to stand up for you and show compassion as against someone who is hell bent to sacrifice you to make God happy. Sacrifice your vices and not poor animals be it a Hindu/ Muslim or Christian.

And remember Mika those tribals will insist that they slaughter in the most pain less way that is known to them.

Can't understand the logic, why innocent animals that do not understand the ridiculous rituals humans follow on the name of religion, should be slaughtered to mark the occasion of Abraham sacrificing his son. Shouldn't we be sacrificing our own sons if we are serious about marking occasions?

You have very right to kill animals as long as you use them for human consumption. After all we have to live and for living we need food. But killing something to please the God is meaning less. Don

If you give up your life in the service of fellow human beings, it is called sacrifice. I don

It

SWISS BAN OF MINARETS Why is it so surprising, Muslims don

Also, to all those calling it a barbaric act, should see some videos of animals killing in the so called civilized countries, check out those videos on Youtube and then judge.

Mercilessly slaughtering to mute and innocent animals is not justified. In halal animals are cut from the front and not from the back so animals dies slowly due to choking and blood loss. It sees itself dieing, but if it is cut from behind the spinal cord breaks immediately and so the animal does not feel pain because the connection to brain is severed and all the systems fail immediately. In fact it is sad that animal are killed in Islam so mercilessly, more so for higher animals like cow which have more developed nervous systems than even humans. Shame on Muslims. Let

Guys, if you like nice ham then go for it just don't drag any God into it, he may not like it. A century old ritual is still followed without giving much thought to it and our religious guru's may have giving good excuse to justify this killings. Enjoy, but please refrain almighty.

Its very easy to "show" your love for God by buying a 'life' from the market and extinguishing that life.The meat is a bonus on top of that. Give a little bit to the poor and you can give yourself an aura of added purity. Real sacrifice is something else. Anyway whether the killing involved pain or not it is a Food of Violence and violence will follow your footsteps.This is a divine law that existed before all our religions and cultures came into being and this law will be there after all our religions and cultures are gone as they eventually must since all things and forms in this universe must eventually perish.

Well, all those who belong to Hindu religion and contributing their opinions here and accusing Islam, must watch their own behavior and treatment with animals. Why is it that most of developed countries have imposed ban on importing Leather made garments from India? Do you know the answer? Secondly from where most of these animals come into Pakistan? They are hurled into Pakistan from India. Oh so you are against killing the animals but not against selling them to be killed. Wow what hypocrisy. India is one of the largest exporters of Beef to Middle East and other countries. Hey come on, how can you float the slogan "Go Green" and yet asking others to eat meat. Millions of poor, who can

In the Bhagvat Gita,Lord Krsna states,'sarva yonishu kaunteya....aham bija pradaha pita',that is, Of all living entities, I am the seed giving Father. So if Krsna (God, Allah, Christ) is the father, all living entities are a big spiritual family, including the animals. Krsna also states that meat is not the food for human. (Patram, pushpam, phalam, toyam). Even in the Muslim scripture imprisoning the bird in a cage is forbidden. The reason being is that it leads to emotional trauma and restricts freedom of movement. If that is so how can you justify the slaughter of innocent animals! The cow eats grass and produce the miracle food called milk. So in a way she is our mother. She takes very little from us and gives back so much more. We grow big and strong and then kill her and at the same time boast that we are very 'religious!!'

Ashvin, GOD is as you think HE is. This is a unique distinction of a unique BEING. HE is not like a human being, but one can say he is HIS creature and might manifest an atom weight of his creator's proof.

Not surprising that brutal age-old practices still remain in many religions. But for educated people to celebrate it as "love" and "beautiful" and "Pure" etc. is incomprehensible. I suddenly understand Nadeem Paracha better now. Regarding Mika's comment: most Hindus in the world (including me) have never heard of Ghadimai (Bariyapur) in Nepal. As reported internationally: "The Bariyapur (Ghadimai) festival has become so big, in part, because such ceremonies have been banned in many areas in the neighboring Indian state of Bihar. And while it is criticized by animal-rights protesters, the festival is defended as a centuries-old tradition." Of course, cruel practices remain from antiquity in every religion, but we should be able to all recognize those for what they are and work to change them.

All blogs made earlier to bring Indians and Pakistanis together are gone waste. I don

@American, America remains the no. one killers of innocent civilians. For every innocent killed by the terrorists, America kills a minimum of 100 civilians as well displace millions from their homes. 'Jihadists' are also the creation of America.

Killing is killing whether it is by slaughtering, electrocution or suffocation. But the question is, is animals killing more brutal than humans killing? What Indians say about the massacre of Muslim men, women and children in Indian city Ahmedabad who were burnt alive by Hindus? Please Indian brothers, enlighten us from your views on this brutality also.

@Asif Two wrongs do not make a right. Every one must do what is in their power to 'do the right thing' by god, by religion, and by 'human decency', never mind what others are doing. If you follow Pakistani logic, every one should kill each other (because they feel justified). Eventually leaving this a barren earth.

Amnah khan says: "All blogs made earlier to bring Indians and Pakistanis together are gone waste. I don

Gunjan Says: Isn

In a blunt manner, basic difference between a Hindu & Muslim - Hindus worship cows, Muslims eat them. Personally I have never been able to accept the idea of animal sacrifice whether it is amongst Hindus (kamakhya temple, Assam) or amongst Muslims on Eid. We should take heed of warnings to decrease our consumption of meat to combat global warming. Meat eating is one of the most inefficient methods of getting energy.

I believe, eating meat isn't associated with any religion. Being non-violent is only driven by your mindset and behavior!

Also, was this for Ismail or Issac, cause I am confused, who was to be slaughtered by Ibrahim. I wonder if that was to happen for real (considering he couldn't see anything in the dark) and then knowing afterwards that it was the wrong son! From Old Testament it was to be Issac, from Islam it was Ismail, any clues people?

God seems to be quite cruel, granting wishes of people who can afford to buy a sacrifice. humko maaloom hai jannat ki haqeeqat lekin dil ko khush rakhne ko Ghalib ye khayaal acha hai.

@ amnah khan, No one is saying that these killing practices are unique to Pakistan or Muslims. Such rituals of killing animals to please gods is still there in some pockets of Hindu India. But no educated Indian endorses these practices and they are confined to some uneducated illiterate people. There are laws and these kind of rituals are culpable offences in India. Every society has such ill-practices and ultimately every society grows out of them. Some Indian readers are expressing there views because this is a "blog" and it is meant essentially for that - to express your view. When you Pakistanis comment on the cast system or corruption in India, it does good for India if we Indians introspect. But if defend these issues just because these are raised by Pakistanis it wont serve anyone's purpose.

@American My American friend I totally agree with you that two wrongs do not make a right. It is not Pakistani logic that every one should kill each other. Inspite of our shortcomings we Pakistanis are arguably the friendliest people on earth. If some of Pakistan haters come out of their tunnel vision and can come into contact with people who have visited the country they will be pleasantly surprised and overwhelmed by country's hospitality. Currently it seems to be the American logic to avenge the terrorist attack of 9/11 to invade any Muslim country at will and seems to acquire a license to kill any number of Muslims. True some rogue elements amongst the Muslims have resorted to killing innocent people and the governments have failed miserably to counter or contain these groups but on the other hand it seems the American logic is intoxicated by power and is hell bent on revenge by invading Muslims countries and thus multiplying the problems. Regards

Killing an animal no way represent the scarifies. It

When Prophet Abraham was nearly going to sacrifice his son, he was stopped to do so and an angel asked Abraham to slaughter the goat which was not there on its own will, rather it was brought. So to say, the animals never offer themselves, they are rather brought or bought. I think this practice was not seen pleasing to God according to the Psalms of David, where God said I do not require any animal sacrifice to please me but a Contrite Heart. Well I don't want to hurt anyone here but this is what the Holy Bible says.

SQ khan says; "Killing an animal no way represent the scarifies. It

Islam Shah: I am not against killing animal if you are the natural enemy in the food chain. But Killing animals to please the god makes no sense. I am sure no compassionate can have the please of seeing an animal being tortured to worship him. This is a barbaric practice. Need to be stopped and it no way represents "love and scarifies" for god. You scarify our comfort to help a poor in the street. That will be more meaningful

@Ammaar Ahmed says: " I think majority of these people posting ignorant comments forget that Eid ul Adha reduces starvation in Pakistan to almost 5 percent, this is because the meat is distributed among the poor." Mr. Ammaar, thank you so much for your enlightening comment for us ignorant people, unfortunately the starving gets the indigestion the second day of eid and by third day they are back to starving. I am sure growing beans for the poor would last a longer than to feed the animal ( and also healthier) but only ignorant can agree to that.

Atab Kenneth Wilson Says: December 3rd, 2009 at 0:32 When Prophet Abraham was nearly going to sacrifice his son, he was stopped to do so and an angel asked Abraham to slaughter the goat which was not there on its own will, rather it was brought. So to say, the animals never offer themselves, they are rather brought or bought. I think this practice was not seen pleasing to God according to the Psalms of David, where God said I do not require any animal sacrifice to please me but a Contrite Heart. Well I don

Eid Al Adha in Pakistan is a celebration of extravagance. I don

Sacrificing animals (and that too slowly causing maximum pain) is barbaric !!!