[UPDATED] Perak, Federal Territories allow sacrificial ritual for Aidiladha

BAGAN SERAI – The Perak government has no objections to Aidiladha sacrificial rituals to be performed in the state, subject to strict compliance with standard operating procedures (SOPs).

State Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Razman Zakaria said the SOPs will be issued by the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk).

“So far, we are positive over the implementation of the sacrificial rituals; there is no problem to hold it,” he said after handing over aid in the form of groceries via drive-through to Kg Selamat, Gunung Semanggol residents here today.

It was reported that Kedah and Penang will allow animal sacrificial rites to be held in conjunction with Aidiladha, subject to strict adherence to SOPs, while Kelantan is not encouraging the rituals to be performed in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Razman, who is also Gunung Semanggol assemblyman, said the supply of livestock in the state is sufficient to meet the demand for sacrificial slaughters despite the spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in several Thai provinces.

“Although the government has decided to suspend the import of cattle and buffaloes from Thailand to curb the possible transmission of LSD, it does not affect the livestock supply in the state at all,” he said.

Meanwhile, Razman said today’s event that saw 100 chickens being distributed to household heads in Kg Selamat is a continuation of the previous programme aimed at easing the burden of those affected by the implementation of the movement control order 3.0.

Meanwhile, Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) director Datuk Mohd Ajib Ismail said the Aidiladha sacrificial rituals are also allowed to be conducted at designated locations, such as Veterinary Services Department and licensed private slaughterhouses, in the Federal Territories.

“The meat must be distributed directly to recipients, who include the poor, frontliners and several other target groups,” he said in a statement today.

He said the rites can also be conducted in open areas other than mosques and surau so long as approval is granted by local authorities, Jawi and the district health office.

Only five animals are allowed to be slaughtered a day, and the number of attendees cannot exceed 12. – Bernama, June 21, 2021