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Butchers urged to slaughter animals humanely
By Ashraf Sadek-The Egyptian Gazette
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 05:09:14 PM
CAIRO - Egyptian animal rights activists have threatened to take legal action against any person caught slaughtering sheep, rams or cows in a barbaric way during Eid el-Adha (the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice), which begins on November 16.
Egyptian animal rights activists have threatened to take legal action against any person caught slaughtering sheep.
The activists, led by Dr Ahmed Samir of Cairo, have urged butchers and citizens to be more humane when slaughtering animals in accordance with Islamic principles and the traditions of the Prophet Mohamed. Samir, the ex-chairman of the Veterinarians' Union, said that butchers should avoid being cruel when slaughtering an animal. "Islamic slaughtering methods dictate that the animal should be treated well before having its throat slit with a very sharp knife," he stressed, adding that, with the Islamic (halal) method of slaughtering, the animal does not feel any pain because the cut to the neck is so swift. "A few seconds after having its throat slit, the animal lapses into unconsciousness, brought about by the draining of large quantities of blood from its body," he explained. Samir indicated that the animal feels no pain at all, although its heart is still beating and its body is still shaking vigorously, due to a reflex reaction of the spinal cord. "It is this phase, which is most unpleasant to onlookers who are falsely convinced that the animal suffers whilst its brain doesn't actually record sensual messages any longer," he added. Samir said that the Islamic method of killing animals for food was humane. However, he exhorted butchers to be more concerned about the feelings of the animals and not to put them to any unnecessary pain. “Islam is a balanced way of life. For Muslims, the privilege of supplementing their diet with animal protein implies a duty to animal welfare, both during the rearing of the animal and its slaughter. The Islamic way guarantees a healthier life for the animal and healthier meat for the eaters," he pointed out. Samir warned that he will take legal action against any person found guilty of mistreating or harming animals, during the feast or at any other time in the future. Cairo-based animal rights activists support the initiative of Samir, who said that Islam has the most comprehensive animal rights laws.
By Tamer Mohamed-The Egyptian Gazette Online Saturday, November 13, 2010 07:13:55 PM
CAIRO - Grand Mufti of Egypt Sheikh Ali Gomma Saturday issued a fatwa (a religious edict) ordering Egyptian Muslims, who celebrate Eid el-Adha on Tuesday by slaughtering a ram, goat, or sheep, to follow hygienic procedures and refrain from leaving their waste or blood in the street.
Following hygienic slaughter of sacrificial animals during Eid el- Adha, which begins on Tuesday, is urgently needed to protect people’s health against the spread of diseases.
The fatwa orders Muslims to perform hygienic and safe slaughter during the Eid period, to avoid the spreading of diseases caused by animal waste and blood, he said. Gomma's fatwa has also called on the Muslims to help the poor celebrate and enjoy the feast of sacrifice, which marks Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God, by distributing the meat to the poor in accordance with Islamic Sharia (law). One-third of the sacrificial animal's meat is eaten by the immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends and one-third is donated to the poor, he said. Sheikh Gomma urged family members to perform the slaughtering of the sacrificial animal after Eid's early morning prayers and refrain from giving a portion of its meat, tripe, or wool coat to the butcher. "A butcher should get his wage in money and not meat, which should be donated to the poor," he said.
Thank you for your effort, Grand Mufti. Unfortunately your fatwa will be useless since Egyptians will do as they used to do.
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