Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 26 : Muslim Cleric Chaudhary Ifraheem Husain expressed his support for the closure of meat shops during the Navratri festival and said that the Muslim community would have no objection to the move as it respects the sentiments of the Hindu community.
Chaudhary Ifraheem Husain said that every religion has its own sentiments and faith and stressed the importance of interfaith respect.
Speaking to ANI, Chaudhary Ifraheem Husain said, "Muslims have no objection to the move as it respects the sentiments of the Hindu community. This is a matter of administration. The Muslim community will have no objection to this because every religion has its own sentiments and faith attached to it, and we all must respect it."
"Just as special care is taken of the worship during the days of Navratri, Muslims have also been taught to respect the festivals of their Hindu brothers," he added.
Chaitra Navratri, a nine-day Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, will begin on March 30 and conclude on April 7.
The festival marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and culminates with Ram Navami, Lord Ram's birth anniversary, on the final day.
The Muslim Cleric also expressed gratitude and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the BJP's nationwide outreach program for economically weaker Muslim families ahead of Eid.
In a heartfelt statement, Chaudhary Ifraheem Husain praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to distribute 'Saugat-e-Modi' Eid kits to lakhs of underprivileged Muslims.
He highlighted how the Prime Minister assessed the conditions of the marginalised Muslim community during the holy month of Ramzan, reaching out to those unable to celebrate Eid with joy.
"During the sacred month of Ramzan, Prime Minister Modi ji conducted a survey of the poor, the weak, and the suffering members of our community who couldn't experience the true joy of Eid. This is truly a remarkable initiative. While people from our community also extended their help, it was PM Modi ji who took this extraordinary step," he said.
Husain expressed his deep gratitude, acknowledging that PM Modi not only responded to the physical needs but also understood the emotional and psychological struggles of the people.
"PM Modi ji listened to both the words of the stomach and the heart, and for that, I am extremely grateful. This gesture will always be remembered," he added.
The exact date of Eid-ul-Fitr 2025 depends on the sighting of the crescent moon on the 29th night of Ramadan. This corresponds to March 29. If the moon is sighted, Eid will be celebrated on March 30.
However, if the moon remains unseen, Ramadan will complete 30 days, and Eid will be observed on March 31.