IDD-UL-ADHUHA: OVER 10,000 ANIMALS TO BE SLAUGHTERED TOMORROW

DAILY MONITOR 

At least 10,000 animals are to be slaughtered across the country as part of celebrations to mark the annual Idd-ul-Adhuha.
 
Muslims around the world will tomorrow, Friday, celebrate Idd-ul-Adhuha, which is a feast of sacrifice in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to obey God’s command to sacrifice his only son Ismail and the latter’s consent to being sacrificed. However, he was later commanded to spare the boy and kill a sheep.
 
Idd ul-Adhuha is the grand feast Muslims celebrate to mark the end of the year according to the lunar Islamic calendar. The demand for animals to slaughter on Idd Day has caused a hike in prices of beef in urban centres with a kilogramme buying between Shs18, 000 and Shs20, 000, down from Shs14, 500 a month ago.
 

Dr Idd Sirajuddin Menya, the chairperson of Social Humanitarian Aid Delivery –Uganda (Shadu), said his organization alone will slaughter 2500 cows compared to 1200 last year. The sheep are 5000 up from 2000 slaughtered in 2024.  

‎”During our preparations, we have   faced some challenges, including some animals dying due to inadequate care or treatment, high prices of animals and market dues have risen in some areas, such as Bukedea Market,” he said during an interview yesterday.
 
He said the beef will be distributed to the needy people at mosques, orphanage centres, prisons, hospitals, police stations and refugee camps in Western Uganda, Teso, Lango and Busoga.
 
“This celebration is not just for Muslims; it's a time for the entire world to come together. I encourage Muslims to share their blessings with everyone, regardless of their background or affiliation. Let us prioritise humanity and uphold the values of Obuntu (humanity) – recognising that our shared humanity transcends our differences,” he said

However, Dr Menya decried the high transportation costs which forced the charity organisation to limit the number of animals to slaughter this year.

 “We would prefer to reach out to all communities, but high transport costs could not allow us to go to every district,” he said.
  
Last year, over 15,000 animals were slaughtered by various charity organisations during Idd ul-Adhuha festivities.

Mr Issa Kirarira, the Chairperson of Nile Humanitarian Development Agency, said over 2000 cows are lined up for slaughter.
 
“We are expecting to slaughter over 2000 cows, with more donations still coming in. Our current tally stands at 2000 cows, and we are grateful for the generosity of individuals who want to share with those in need. We expect to serve 62,000 people during Idd festivities,” he said.
 
Hajjat Shania Kigozi, the Country Director for One Ummah Uganda, only 50 head of cattle are to be slaughtered compared to over 100 slaughtered last year.

 According to her, the decline in numbers is attributed to the high prices of animals. "Our sponsors decided that we slaughter that number [50 cows] and the bigger number be slaughtered in Tanzania, where the prices of cattle are fairly good," Ms Kigozi said.
 
She revealed that her organisation bought each cow at Shs1.7 million up from Shs1 0illion last year, while a goat and sheep cost Shs260, 000 and Shs160, 000 respectively.

Like it was the case last year, Humanitarian Efforts and Relief (Hear –Uganda), one of the big organisations that usually donates beef during Idd festivities, will not slaughter animals, according to Sheikh Haidar Kizza, the vice chairperson of Hear-Uganda.
 
 “Our donors told us that their support is still going to Gaza, where thousands of people are in dire need of relief aid. We pray that the war in Gaza stops and they resume considering other countries like Uganda,” he said.  
 
Idd ul-Adhuha is different from Idd ul-Fitr, which was celebrated on March 30   at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Unlike Idd ul-Fitr, this Friday’s Idd prayer is performed early in the day to enable those to slaughter animals to have meat for lunch and traditionally lasts for four days, meaning the festivities will continue up to June 9.  
 
The faithful are supposed to leave home without a meal until after the completion of the prayers.