After Sacrifice, Responsibility….

After Sacrifice, Responsibility….

“Eid ul Adha serves as a reminder that true belief extends beyond ritual into responsibility towards society and the environment”

Peerzada Mohsin Shafi

Eid-ul-Adha is among the most profound occasions in the Islamic calendar. At its heart lies the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s unwavering obedience and willingness to sacrifice what was dearest to him in submission to the will of Allah. The festival is not merely about the ritual of Qurbani. It is about humility, compassion, discipline and responsibility. The act of sacrifice carries a spiritual message that extends far beyond the slaughter itself. It asks believers to reflect on their duties towards society, fellow human beings and the world around them.

In Kashmir, Eid-ul-Adha has always been observed with deep devotion and community spirit. From the early morning prayers to the distribution of meat among relatives, neighbours and the underprivileged, the festival reflects generosity and togetherness. Yet in recent years another side of Eid has increasingly become visible across towns and villages of the Valley. Hours after the sacrifices are completed many roads, streams and public spaces begin to tell a troubling story. Animal remains, hides and offal are often seen dumped in nearby water bodies, open fields, drains and overflowing dustbins. In several localities the stench lingers for days while stray dogs scatter waste across streets and residential areas.

Every year social media platforms are flooded with photographs and videos showing bloodied drains, heaps of discarded animal waste and polluted streams after Eid-ul-Adha. Some posts spark outrage while others invite ridicule from outside the Valley. Many users blame municipal authorities while others criticise citizens for irresponsibility. The debate resurfaces annually only to fade away until the next Eid arrives. Unfortunately, little changes on the ground.

The issue is not merely about aesthetics or civic embarrassment. It is deeply connected to public health, environmental sustainability and religious ethics. Islam places extraordinary emphasis on cleanliness and responsible conduct. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described cleanliness as half of faith. Islamic teachings encourage believers to avoid causing inconvenience or harm to others. Scholars have repeatedly stressed that the remains of sacrificed animals must be disposed of properly and respectfully. Polluting water sources or public spaces contradicts the very spirit of a festival rooted in sacrifice and compassion.

The scientific implications are equally serious. Animal waste dumped into streams and drains contaminates water bodies with bacteria and pathogens. During warmer weather decomposition accelerates rapidly producing foul odours and increasing the risk of disease transmission. Open disposal also attracts stray animals and insects which further spread contamination. In densely populated urban areas blocked drains mixed with animal waste can worsen sanitation conditions and create long-term environmental stress.

Kashmir’s fragile ecosystem makes the matter even more concerning. The Valley’s lakes, streams and wetlands are already under pressure from pollution, encroachment and unregulated waste disposal. Adding tonnes of untreated animal remains during Eid only intensifies the burden. Water bodies that communities depend upon for irrigation and daily use should not become dumping grounds in the name of celebration.

At the same time placing the entire blame on citizens alone would be unfair. Municipal authorities and local administrations have often failed to prepare adequately for the scale of waste generated during Eid-ul-Adha. In many areas there are no designated disposal sites, no proper awareness campaigns and insufficient waste collection services. Sanitation workers are overburdened while garbage vehicles fail to reach localities in time. The absence of organised systems forces many people to resort to unsafe disposal practices.

The government therefore owes citizens more than temporary advisories issued a day before Eid. Authorities must develop a coordinated and scientific waste management strategy specifically for Eid-ul-Adha. Designated collection points should be established in urban and rural areas alike. Municipal bodies must ensure timely lifting of waste through additional sanitation staff and special transport arrangements. Veterinary and public health departments should also issue clear guidelines on safe disposal methods.

Awareness campaigns are equally important. Mosques, local committees and educational institutions can play a meaningful role in spreading messages about responsible Qurbani practices. Religious leaders possess immense influence within communities and their guidance can help people understand that cleanliness and environmental care are part of faith itself. Sermons before Eid should emphasise that irresponsible disposal is not merely a civic lapse but also a moral failure.

Citizens too must recognise their responsibilities. The spirit of sacrifice cannot coexist with negligence towards shared spaces. Families should avoid throwing remains into rivers, streams or roadsides even if proper systems appear inadequate. Communities can organise local collection arrangements and coordinate with municipal workers instead of treating waste disposal as somebody else’s problem. Hides and reusable animal by-products should be handled through organised channels rather than abandoned in open spaces.

There is also a need to rethink how social media is used during Eid. While exposing civic failures is necessary constant circulation of disturbing images without constructive engagement achieves little. Public outrage should lead to community action and policy reform rather than becoming an annual cycle of anger and embarrassment. Social media users can instead promote awareness campaigns, responsible practices and examples of neighbourhoods managing Eid waste effectively.

Eid-ul-Adha teaches believers that sacrifice is inseparable from responsibility. The festival asks individuals to rise above selfishness and act with consciousness towards others. In today’s context that consciousness must include care for the environment, public hygiene and civic ethics. Kashmir cannot continue to celebrate the spiritual essence of Eid while ignoring the damage caused to its streets, water bodies and public spaces immediately afterwards.

The Valley prides itself on its culture, hospitality and spiritual traditions. Preserving that dignity requires collective effort. Government agencies must provide infrastructure and planning while citizens must display responsibility and discipline. Faith and science in this matter are not in conflict. Both demand cleanliness, care and respect for the environment.

Perhaps the true meaning of sacrifice today lies not only in what is offered during Qurbani but also in the willingness to change harmful habits for the greater good. Only then can Eid-ul-Adha remain a celebration that reflects both devotion and responsibility.