The World Health Organization has called for strict regulations on animal slaughter ahead of this weekend’s global celebrations by Eid Al-Adha, the sacrificial dinner.
Although the source of the virus that causes COVID-19 is not yet known, it is widely zoonotic, a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans, and has been detected in domestic animals, such as cats.
“Understanding which animal species are most vulnerable to the virus is to locate potential animal reservoirs to mitigate transmission and long-term epidemics,” says WHO consultant for Eid al-Adha.
WHO recommends that the slaughter not be done at home this year, suggesting that families distribute meat donations through centralized agencies.
Nearly 1.8 billion Muslims will hold the annual four-day festival, which begins tomorrow. It is marked by the slaughter of animals and the distribution of meat to family, friends and neighbours. Muslims must also donate meat to the deeds, known as qurbani.
Go online
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has said other people are buying cattle online this year, to avoid open markets where others would come into close contact with each other.
App designers expected a preference for online animal sales and qurbani donations. The Qurbani app replicates the buying procedure on the market, allowing Pakistanis to buy and sell animals, seek the recommendation of veterinarians on livestock, and distribute meat. It offers cows, sheep and goats and commits to distributing meat while offering live updates on Whatsapp.
Islamic Relief Worldwide says it has earned about 150,000 qurbani donations online, which will supply meat to around 3 million people in 30 countries.
Seasonal program manager Zaheer Afzal says the charity is working with the local fitness government to carry out animal fitness checks and maintain food hygiene at slaughterhouses and distribution.
“We deliver in the houses, even in some cases in small meetings of up to 50 more people maintaining a social distance,” he says.
“We are doing everything we can to comply with COVID-19 guidelines.”
Qurbani’s donations are not only a requirement in Islam, but also provide others with their only meat meal in the year, Afzal says.
“In all these countries, providing basic foodstuffs is one of the most sensitive priorities of governments. Most food aid is distributed in remote and hard-to-reach areas,” he says.
The beneficiaries are in conflict-ravaged Yemen and Syria, as in parts of Africa, such as Somalia and Chad, which face drought, hunger and prohibitive meat prices, Afzal says.
Distant parties
In its Eid al-Adha guidelines, WHO argues that the cancellation of devoted meetings will “be seriously considered” and replaced by virtual alternatives. When this is not possible, WHO says that the faithful use non-public prayer mats and that mosques restrict their capacity and the duration of their services.
The Iraqi government imposed a general curfew during the holidays. But some governments in Muslim-majority countries have given the tone green to limited festivities, although many places of worship remain closed as part of the closures.
Among its rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19 Eid al-Adha, the Pakistani government has asked for mandatory thermal examinations in mosques, while imams have been invited to give sermons about infection except youion.