MINA, 24 February — An official source at the Sacrificial Meat Utilization Project has disclosed that some 15 bogus companies have been found to be selling fake coupons for animal sacrifice to the pilgrims.
Speaking to Arab News, the source said punitive action will be taken against the establishments, which sold the fake coupons by sending representatives to pilgrim camps in Mina. He pointed out that the conditions stipulated by the meat project will safeguard the pilgrims against the swindlers.
Security officials also warned the pilgrims against people who beg for sacrificial meat and then sell it outside.
The sacrificial meat utilization program, which is supervised by the Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank, will make use of 650,000 animals this season. The animals are slaughtered at five automatic slaughterhouses in Mina.
IDB President Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ali has said that the bank had made arrangements to supply animals that meet Shariah and hygienic specifications from non-African countries. He said 600 Shariah students were appointed to ensure that the program was carried out in conformity with religious specifications. The bank has also appointed 1,100 veterinarians and 45,800 butchers, supervisors and laborers.
Last year, the meat of more than half a million animals was utilized. A portion of the meat was distributed in the Kingdom and the rest was shipped to 27 Muslim countries.
Dr. Ali said non-Muslim states with Muslim populations could request for sacrificial meat shipments if they were ready to bear transportation expenses.
