JEDDAH, 16 December 2004 — The sacrificial sheep coupon, which is part of the Project for the Utilization of Sacrificial Animals During Haj managed by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), will cost SR75 more this year than last. This year’s coupon, available at Al-Rajhi Banking & Investment Corp., will cost SR450 compared to SR375 last year.
Dr. Ahmad Ali, president of the IDB, emphasized that the bank made every effort to keep the price down but that the increase reflected market conditions. As for camels, the market is open and pilgrims can negotiate a price including all services from slaughter to transport.
Stressing the significance of the project, the bank president said that the government was always eager to provide the best facilities to pilgrims so that they could perform their rituals comfortably and securely.
The government launched the project in 1983 and assigned its management to the IDB. In 1998, the Council of Ministers passed a resolution designating the project as the only one responsible for the issuance and sale of coupons for sacrificial animals. Dr. Ali said the government had provided all facilities needed to ensure that the animals sold within the project satisfy all religious and health requirements.
“Before the project, hundreds of thousands of carcasses were thrown away. Bulldozers buried them in huge pits,” he said. “The government had to spend some SR20 million to get rid of carcasses littering the holy places. The project has put an end to all these problems,” he added.
This year more than 18,000 butchers will be employed along with 700 veterinarians and 600 Shariah students. The animals will be examined at all stages until they are skinned and refrigerated.
The IDB undertakes the distribution of sacrificed meat among the poor in the Makkah area. Large quantities are transported by land, air and sea for distribution to member countries and Muslim communities worldwide. This year some 629,600 animals will be distributed in 23 countries as opposed to 593,000 last year.
The IDB aims at maximum utilization of sacrificial animals, their skins and offal. For example, a contract has been signed with a Chinese company to produce gelatin. The gelatin plant will also address another important issue for Muslims: At present, most of the gelatin available in world markets is of porcine origin.
Dr. Ali welcomed a suggestion by Indian Consul (Haj), A. Majid Padar, to distribute sacrificial coupons through the Central Haj Committee. “It is a very good idea. We will work together to see if it can be implemented beginning this year.” Dr. Ali also welcomed a Jordanian suggestion to make coupons available through other Islamic banks in other countries.
