Sacred Slaughter: The Sacrificing of Animals at the Hajj and Id al-Adha

Abstract

Large numbers of animals are slaughtered annually during the pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and throughout the Islamic world in observance of the Feast of the Sacrifice (Id al-Adha). Concurrently, Muslim population growth has created a demand for animals beyond the potential production of some Islamic countries. From domestic and foreign sources, the transportation of about one million animals to Mina (near Makkah), their slaughter there according to strict ritual, and the disposal of carcasses—all within several days—is an extraordinary exercise in logistics and management. Id al-Adha's lawful sacrificial offerings include the four species prescribed for Hajj sacrifice, sheep, goats, camels and cattle, and additionally, cow-like animals initialing the water buffalo, domesticated banteng and yaks. To meet market demands for sacrificial animals, pastoralists in northern Africa and southwestern Asia increased their flocks and overstocked grazing land, consequently accelerating the deterioration of biotic resources. Livestock production and range management are affected by the dates for ritual slaughter in Islam's lunar calendar, which is unrelated to the seasons of vegetation growth and animal reproduction.