Thai Muslims celebrate Aidiladha festival

BANGKOK, November 6 (TNA) - Over 3,000 Thai Muslims nationwide on Sunday celebrated the Aidiladha festival during which they also made donations to help out their fellow countrymen who have been affected by the ongoing flood crisis. In Yala Province, many people gathered at the field of the Yala municipal youth center in Muang district at 7.30 am to perform the Aidiladha prayers. At the ceremony, they donated cash to help flood victims in other parts of the country. Joining the ceremony were also Yala governor Krisada Boonrach and Yala mayor Pongsak Yingchoncharoen. Over in Pattani Province, some 3,000 Thai Muslims performed the prayer at the provincial central stadium. They prayed for peace in violence-plagued southern Thai border provinces. After the prayers, participants gave Zakat (charity) to poor children and performed the sacrificial slaughter of cattle. The meats cut up in small pieces were given to the donors for their consumption. This year the Aidiladha festival falls on Sunday (Nov 6). The following Monday (Nov 7) is thus made an additional holiday in the three southern Thai border provinces. (TNA)