Srinagar, May 25 -- By Dr. Bilal Ahmad Ganaie

The Day of Arafah holds deep meaning for Muslims. Families in Kashmir spend the day in prayer, fasting and preparation for Eid al-Azha.

Homes prepare for guests, and markets stay busy deep into the night as people buy food, clothes and essentials for the days ahead.

Most chatter about Arafah focus on faith alone. Another story moves beside it, though, and Kashmir sees it clearly every year.

Arafah also pushes a huge wave of economic activity through the valley.

That movement begins weeks before Eid.

Truckloads of sheep enter Kashmir through the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Livestock markets in Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag fill with buyers and traders. Bakers increase production, butchers ...