To these overstayers, this is a high season to make a profit by charging between SR100 and SR150 per animal.

Normally, the charge to slaughter an animal in slaughterhouses is much less than that. Workers in butcher shops also see this as an opportunity to offer their services to make extra money and make up for any losses they made in the previous months.

Saudi citizens interviewed agreed this illegal practice is ruining the Jeddah streets, especially the sight of these illegal workers carrying big butcher knives and roaming the streets.

They hoped the Jeddah municipality would put an end to this practice, which apparently happens every year.

Many slaughterhouses have set their prices for Eid, charging SR100 for the first day, SR80 the second day and between SR50 to SR30 the third day. Priority is given to those who make early reservations. Some butcher shops in Jeddah began announcing their services to sacrifice animals early.

Saif Al-Buqaili, Saudi citizen, said that he did not like the scene of butchers surrounding his car trying to convince him to slaughter his animal.

He ignored them and went to his neighborhood only to find many more overstayers with knives, some of them with no experience in slaughtering animals.

“I deal with a butcher that I know in the neighborhood. I reserved him six days before and I paid SR100 in advance,” he said.

Essam Mahmoud, a worker in a slaughterhouse, said that his employers prepared early.

All arrangements are in place for this day, including butcher knives and bags. He said this season is considered a great time to make extra cash.

Al-Tayeb Abdullah, owner of a slaughterhouse in Jeddah, said Eid day is a good season to make money.

“Everyone needs a butcher to slaughter their animals and cook the meat. Even if we charged extra, they will come to us,” he added.

He said that they pay extra attention to cleaning the store because it attracts customers. He said some shops are temporarily hiring illegal overstayers to work in the shop to cope with the huge demand.