RIYADH: A mobile slaughterhouse for those who want to sacrifice their animals themselves during Eid Al-Adha has been provided by the Riyadh municipality.
This is being promoted by the municipality because many people slaughter animals in unhygienic conditions in their houses or insisting on being present at the time of sacrifice as per the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Salman Al-Buthi, general manager of the Environmental Health Department at the Riyadh municipality, said that the mobile slaughterhouse would be equipped to slaughter small animals such as goats and sheep.
“It has been approved by the municipality and has the facility to slaughter 10 animals at a time,” said Al-Buthi, adding that there would be no charge for the service.
“Inside, the slaughterhouse will have three sections for sacrifice including a section to cut the carcasses and then delivered to the owner,” he said. This mobile slaughterhouse will be parked first near Malaz Stadium on the first day of Eid Al-Adha. The slaughterhouse will have a water supply and drainage with a corner for garbage, he explained.
Referring to plans made on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, Al-Buthi said that the municipality would distribute some 350,000 kits containing bags for meat and brochures. The municipality had specified 13 locations in Riyadh where animals for sacrifice including camels, goats and sheep would be sold on the occasion of Eid.
These temporary markets will be open from Nov. 22 to 30. Water points, hoses, sterilizers for hand tools, and cleaning equipment will be provided in sufficient quantities at the locations, he added.
He further pointed out that nine locations in the city had been designated for slaughtering animals where the municipality’s personnel would be on hand to check health and hygiene.
All these locations will have drive-through points, where animals for sacrifice will be dropped and a ticket given to the owner, who will collect the sacrificial meat later the same day. These locations will be open for the three days of Eid.
These slaughterhouses are located in Azizia district, Masana district, Nasim district, Oraiza district and north of the vegetable and fruit market area, he said. Azizia and Masana district slaughterhouses have been designated for large animals such as camels and cows.
Al-Buthi said that the municipality had also given permits to about 300 matbakhs, (kitchens and restaurants), which are also authorized to slaughter animals. These places will have a municipality sticker on their entrance.
