What else one can expect from the media when Eidul Azha is around the corner and cattle markets rule almost every major road of the city.
Every news bulletin starts with expensive, out-of-reach cattle rates and ends up with the catwalk (or cattlewalk) of a goat, sheep, lamb, bull, calf, cow, buffalo and a camel. The media tells the things which even a camel does not know about itself.
The media tells that this camel, called Mr/Ms Jacky, eats five kilogrammes of American almonds. Since the camel is neither able to deny nor confirm whatever is being said about it, it just looks on.
What can the media report on Eidul Azha?
Eidul Azha is a complete package of the rural economy. It boosts cattle farmers’ living. The occasion brings lots of cattle breeds to the market. The world should know what is ongoing in the cattle world.
With this Eid around the corner amid a poor economic situation, those who are in a position to help others must embody the spirit of sacrifice so that those who are unfortunate can also get a chance to celebrate. Many of those who are able to afford multiple animals should not buy many and boast; instead they should make the right intention and buy only as much as needed and give the rest of the amount to someone needy. Those who sacrifice animals should donate the hides to certain organizations that help the lower strata of society instead of throwing them away and polluting the environment.
The spirit of sacrifice must be kept alive not only during the time of Eid but throughout the year. It is not that one should sacrifice all luxuries and give up everything for the sake of God, but there should be a healthy balance between what one keeps for oneself and what one donates to the needy. The concept of charity is not alien to any part of the world and through it many people are able to afford the basic requirements of life. Sacrifice and charity are interlinked as one can only give away one’s hard-earned wealth in charity if they are accustomed with the idea of sacrifice. It is human nature to look after oneself and while there are many virtues in people, many vices also exist and the vice of greed and miserliness can only be broken with a spirit of sacrifice. This is what the idea behind Eidul Azha teaches us; to give up your dearly beloved possessions for the greater good and in submission to God.
The economic situation is likely to get worse in the coming days; therefore, people will have to keep the spirit of sacrifice alive for the greater good of society. Instead of adopting the idea of the individual, it is better to work for the collective. On the basis of humanity, one must take care of the needy. Moreover, it is imperative that by giving charity, one does not incapacitate the poor. Instead, there should be work done, which empowers the poor.
If people can afford the schooling of an extra child they should find a poor child and fund his schooling so that the child and their family are empowered in the long run. If sacrificing one Birkin bag pays for the university fee of a person then it should be done. If sacrificing a sports car builds a hospital for the poor then that should be done.
In such times it is the rich who can aid the poor with their charities as the government itself is needy. Therefore, people must come together for one another and make life easy for those who are living on scraps.
