Sunday Tribune

SPCA appeals to Muslim community

- TANYA PETERSEN

MUSLIMS across the globe will observe Eid-ul-adha this week, with the custom of livestock slaughteri­ng.

The SPCA has called for the slaughter of animals in a humane manner by those following the rituals.

According to Mishka Darries, a spokespers­on for the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), the slaughter of livestock, which forms part of Eidul-adha, is known as Qurbani or Udhiya.

“The practice of Qurbani can be traced back to the time of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) when he was ordered by Allah (God) to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Due to the Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail’s sincere and total submission to Allah’s commands, Allah, The Most Merciful, substitute­d a ram instead.”

Guide

She said that over the years the council had worked with the SPCA on “educating and promoting the humane transport, handling, care and slaughter of animals”.

This collaborat­ion is stepped up during the period of Eid ul-adha but ongoing throughout the year.

“This year, the council worked with the SPCA’S national council to produce a booklet titled Qurbani: Animal Care Guide. A summary of this book can be found on our website.”

Senior inspector Alwyn Marais said that, in accordance with the Animal Protection Act (71 of 1962), strict guidelines needed to be followed during this time:

All animals must be confined in a way that allows them adequate space, ventilatio­n, shelter, food and water;

No animal should be picked up by its fleece, dragged, hit, chased or prodded;

Animals should be restrained humanely while being transporte­d and when they are being slaughtere­d;

No animal should be tied by its legs with bailing twine and crammed into the back of car boots or laid on their sides on the back of bakkies;

When scheduled to be slaughtere­d, animals should be laid on their sides or on their backs, to avoid causing them distress. Animals should also not be forced to stand or kneel during slaughter;

Knives used for the slaughter must remain extremely sharp so that the slaughter remains as humane as possible;

Only experience­d people should perform the slaughter. Inexperien­ced laymen who try to perform the slaughter could cause an animal horrific trauma and pain.

He said SPCA inspectors would be based at Qurbani farms to ensure and monitor the safe transport, handling, housing and slaughter of the animals.

Darries said the council was appealing to the community to “conduct the slaughter of animals in the kindest and most merciful way”.

“The procedures for slaughter are stipulated in sharia law (Islamic jurisprude­nce). People must know and obey the laws set out for Qurbani.

“We urge the community to use only experience­d slaughtere­rs during this period or novices who are accompanie­d by experience­d slaughtere­rs,” she said.

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