REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin underscored the need to thoroughly interpret the commemoration of Eid al-Adha that transcends the mere slaughtering of sacrificial animals.

"We do not only slaughter sacrifices but give something for the benefit of many people, sacrificing energy, sacrificing thoughts, sacrificing wealth, and sometimes even sacrificing feelings too," Amin remarked after performing the Eid al-Adha prayer 1445 Hijriyah at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Monday.

The vice president also noted that Indonesia achieved its independence due to the heroes' sacrifices for the sake of the nation and country.

"Our independence came from the heroes' sacrifice. Therefore, the spirit of sacrifice among (people of) this nation must be kept alive," Amin emphasized.

According to Amin, Eid al-Adha is also an opportunity to increase solidarity between people. The vice president said that the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar, reported that non-Muslims also handed over sacrificial animals to Istiqlal Mosque.

"It is not only Muslims who offer sacrifices. The Grand Imam told me that many non-Muslims offer sacrifices. Hence, social solidarity is still alive. Thank God, we are able to maintain it," he remarked.

The vice president handed over a cow to the Istiqlal Mosque as a sacrificial animal that was received directly by the Grand Imam.

Apart from the Istiqlal Mosque, the vice president also offered sacrificial animals at the Sunda Kelapa Mosque in Jakarta, the Al-Jihad Mosque in Tanjung Priok, as well as several other mosques and Islamic boarding schools in various regions.

The vice president also entrusted his sacrificial animals to the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) as well as other Islamic organizations, such as Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah. The cattle handed over by the vice president for slaughter were limousine, simental, and also local cattle breeds.

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