All about Eid-ul-Azha

Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid ul-Azha, also known as Qurbani Eid or the Feast of Sacrifice, with prayers, animal sacrifices and feasts with family and friends.
Eid al-Azha is the second most important religious holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide. In Bangladesh it will be observed Sept 25-27.

Eid-ul-Azha falls on the 10th day of Zil-Hijj, the last month in the lunar-based Islamic calendar. It also marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.
The festival honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as an act of submission to the Almighty Allah. According to the Quran, as Ibrahim was about to kill his son, Allah stopped him and gave him a lamb to sacrifice instead.

To commemorate Ibrahim’s selfless act, Muslims who can afford it sacrifice a cow, goat or sheep and share the meat among family, friends and the poor.
In many Muslims across the world, including Indonesia that has the largest Muslim population, sacrificial animals must be killed at official slaughterhouses or other locally designated spots.

However, in Bangladesh, especially in the cities the trend is to slaughter animals on roads or open spaces in front of one’s own house, leaving animal remains to rot until they are cleaned up by city cleaners.
For the first time this year, the authorities have taken a bold decision to designate areas in the cities and major towns to slaughter sacrificial animals, instead of just anywhere.

In Dhaka, the two mayors announced that over 400 spots would be allocated for sacrificing an estimated three lakh cattle. Ward commissioners and imams have been asked to inform and encourage people to use the designated slaughter spots.  

However, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Annisul Huq at a recent meeting with the press admitted that there was a shortage of spots for the large number of animals slaughtered every year in one of the most congested cities in the world.

“Based on a recommendation by the prime minister, this year for the first time we are asking people to sacrifice the animals in designated spots instead of anywhere they like,” said Enamul Haque, chief executive officer of the city corporation.

Mohammad Nurul Hossain Khan, assistant chief waste management officer of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), said each of the capital’s 56 wards would have four designated spots.

Meanwhile, many residents remain confused over the decision to slaughter animals at designated spots, when they are yet to be fixed in their neighbourhoods.

“If any of the specific points for slaughtering sacrificial animals fixed by the government is close to my house, I surely will go there to avoid polluting,” Shamim Chowdhury, a resident of Uttara, said.

 “We are yet to get any clarification where the fixed places will be. We have just been informed that we are not allowed to continue slaughtering on the streets. But if the places are fixed far from our houses, we will do it in our ground-floor garage,” SM Zubair, another resident, said.

“Yet, only 208 designated spots will not be enough to accommodate the huge number of animals. And it will look odd when people take there cows there parading the streets,” he added. “Also, how will we bring back our share of meat if the place is far from our house?”

Earlier, Local Government and Rural Development Secretary Abdul Malek had announced that slaughtering places had been fixed because animal wastes and blood pollute city roads.

Meanwhile, both Dhaka city corporations have designated 285 slaughter spots for the north and 208 for the south.

“If necessary, the number of places will be increased. No one will be forced to bring their cattle to the slaughter ground, rather we will create mass awareness to keep our city clean,” said a ward commissioner.

He urged residents to take their animals to the specified places for slaughtering.

Meanwhile, places fixed by DNCC in some upscale areas of the city like Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara has created mixed reaction among the residents.

 The DNCC  fixed eight spot in Banani and Gulshan, including  Banani Chairmanbari playground, Banani Rajuk ground, Gulshan central park and Gulshan lake park.

“The Gulshan parks are used by residents, especially the elderly, for walking. Slaughtering animals there will hamper their daily routine. And if they don’t clean up on time, the area will stink for days, particularly if it rains. The city authorities should select alternative areas,” said an eminent citizen living in this area, preferring anonymity.  

The DNCC has fixed 208 spots in total, including its permanent abattoirs in Mirpur-11 and Mohammadpur.

Faruque Hossain and Abhijeet Das also contributed

All about Eid-ul-Azha

Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid ul-Azha, also known as Qurbani Eid or the Feast of Sacrifice, with prayers, animal sacrifices and feasts with family and friends. Eid al-Azha is the second most important religious holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide. In Bangladesh it will be observed Sept 25-27. Eid-ul-Azha falls on the 10th day of Zil-Hijj, the last month in the lunar-based Islamic calendar. It also marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The festival honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as an act of submission to the Almighty Allah. According to the Quran, as Ibrahim was about to kill his son, Allah stopped him and gave him a lamb to sacrifice instead. To commemorate Ibrahims selfless act, Muslims who can afford it sacrifice a cow, goat or sheep and share the meat among family, friends and the poor. In many Muslims across the world, including Indonesia that has the largest Muslim population, sacrificial animals must be killed at official slaughterhouses or other locally designated spots. However, in Bangladesh, especially in the cities the trend is to slaughter animals on roads or open spaces in front of ones own house, leaving animal remains to rot until they are cleaned up by city cleaners. For the first time this year, the authorities have taken a bold decision to designate areas in the cities and major towns to slaughter sacrificial animals, instead of just anywhere. In Dhaka, the two mayors announced that over 400 spots would be allocated for sacrificing an estimated three lakh cattle. Ward commissioners and imams have been asked to inform and encourage people to use the designated slaughter spots. However, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Annisul Huq at a recent meeting with the press admitted that there was a shortage of spots for the large number of animals slaughtered every year in one of the most congested cities in the world. Based on a recommendation by the prime minister, this year for the first time we are asking people to sacrifice the animals in designated spots instead of anywhere they like, said Enamul Haque, chief executive officer of the city corporation. Mohammad Nurul Hossain Khan, assistant chief waste management officer of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), said each of the capitals 56 wards would have four designated spots. Meanwhile, many residents remain confused over the decision to slaughter animals at designated spots, when they are yet to be fixed in their neighbourhoods. If any of the specific points for slaughtering sacrificial animals fixed by the government is close to my house, I surely will go there to avoid polluting, Shamim Chowdhury, a resident of Uttara, said. We are yet to get any clarification where the fixed places will be. We have just been informed that we are not allowed to continue slaughtering on the streets. But if the places are fixed far from our houses, we will do it in our ground-floor garage, SM Zubair, another resident, said. Yet, only 208 designated spots will not be enough to accommodate the huge number of animals. And it will look odd when people take there cows there parading the streets, he added. Also, how will we bring back our share of meat if the place is far from our house? Earlier, Local Government and Rural Development Secretary Abdul Malek had announced that slaughtering places had been fixed because animal wastes and blood pollute city roads. Meanwhile, both Dhaka city corporations have designated 285 slaughter spots for the north and 208 for the south. If necessary, the number of places will be increased. No one will be forced to bring their cattle to the slaughter ground, rather we will create mass awareness to keep our city clean, said a ward commissioner. He urged residents to take their animals to the specified places for slaughtering. Meanwhile, places fixed by DNCC in some upscale areas of the city like Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara has created mixed reaction among the residents. The DNCC fixed eight spot in Banani and Gulshan, including Banani Chairmanbari playground, Banani Rajuk ground, Gulshan central park and Gulshan lake park. The Gulshan parks are used by residents, especially the elderly, for walking. Slaughtering animals there will hamper their daily routine. And if they dont clean up on time, the area will stink for days, particularly if it rains. The city authorities should select alternative areas, said an eminent citizen living in this area, preferring anonymity. The DNCC has fixed 208 spots in total, including its permanent abattoirs in Mirpur-11 and Mohammadpur. Faruque Hossain and Abhijeet Das also contributed