Home    News    Oman News

Bausher abattoir all set to meet Eid rush

MUSCAT — All preparations are in place at the central abattoir in Bausher to meet the Eid Al Adha rush. Speaking to Times Shouky Zedjali, an official in charge of the slaughterhouse affairs in the Muscat Municipality, said that slaughtering services had been organised into two shifts since Wednesday and would continue like that up to Eid.

For individuals the service will be available from 7.30am to 1.30pm, and for commercial companies from 8pm until midnight.

‘Individuals’, Shouky said, ‘can bring animals and wait for their turn while the commercial entities will have to get their animals 12 hours before the time of slaughtering.’

Individuals can either buy small animals (like goat, sheep) at the abattoir which has already been inspected by veterinary doctors for any diseases, or buy animal from outside and bring them for being slaughtered at the abattoir. Those getting animals from outside will have to get them checked for diseases at the abattoir.

Shouky said 67 personnel, including doctors, butchers, labourers and foremen, were operating at the abattoir, 15 more than on usual days.

The municipality expects to slaughter around 6,000 small animals and around 200 big animals at the central abattoir this Eid. Slaughtering fees will be charged as follows: goats/sheep (RO1 per head), cattle (RO2 per head), and camels (RO4 per head).

Shauki has, in the meanwhile, appealed to the people to transport the animals in a healthy and humane way to the abattoir, so that the animals are not put under duress.

Unlike in the neighbouring UAE, here there is no facility for people to watch their animals being slaughtered. The present abattoir will have to be upgraded for such facilities to be introduced.

After slaughtering, the carcass is inspected by vets and only after the doctors clear the meat as fit for human consumption will it be delivered to the owner, in eight big chunks. Shauki said those who want the large chunks to be further cut into pieces could get it done by paying an additional fee.

Other facilities here have been upgraded. There are separate passages, four toilets, rest room and a mosque to cater to the needs of the residents. There is also adequate parking space at the facility.

Pre-Eid market

Yet another component of religious strand that Eid in Oman is famous for is the Habta or the pre-Eid market, believed to be one of the most vibrant of these festive outdoor bazaars that precede Eid in the Sultanate.

These Habtas will spring up in different wilayats from today and attract buyers and sellers from key towns and villages alike. Business is brisk, and the merchandise on offer by far the most extensive. The most famous one is held in Sarur in the wilayat of Samayil, which represents the microcosm of Oman.

These Habtas, held in places like Seeb, Samayil, Amerat etc., offer a social meeting point for people who come from the surrounding villages and towns.

The origin of Habta goes back to olden days when only livestock was sold, but of late this popular pre-Eid market features an extensive merchandise, including foodstuff, dry fruits and nuts, agricultural and farming implements, spices, traditional farm produce such as rose water and vinegar, and children’s toys and trinkets.

The highlight of the Habta is the cattle and goat auction, conducted in traditional style. As is done at livestock auctions, the animals are paraded in a ring around which stand prospective buyers who shout their bids for the goat, sheep, cow or bull of their choice.

Eid Qurbani

Then there are animal farms where you can buy bulls, cows, goats and sheep for Eid Qurbani, locally known as Udhiyah, which is performed immediately after the Eid prayers and can be performed till Eid is over.

Mohammed Inam, manager of a big animal farm in Barkah owned by Adburrahman Yusuf, said that the farm had more than 300 animals and the sale for Eid has already picked up. As we were talking, a customer, Dr Syed Omran, clinched a deal for a handsome bull for RO700. Inam said the animal would be delivered to the client a day before Eid.

Inam said most of the animals at the farm were from Somalia, Oman and Australia.

In Seeb, on the outskirts, around 30 pickup trucks laden with animals that are for sale are stationed and buyers and sellers were seen bargaining hard.

At the central abattoir, S. Hameed Ali, manager of Salem bin Saif Al Ghafri Trad. Est., said Omani goats were far more costlier than those imported from Australia or Somalia. Goats from Somalia sell for anywhere between 40 to 60 rials.

As Eid approaches, one will be able to spot many pickups laden with animals doing brisk business.

Sacrificing animals is Sunnah practised by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in an essential religious rite in memory of the sacrifice performed by Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him). God, wanting to test his faith and loyalty, is believed to have asked him to slaughter his son, Ismayil. Ibrahim readily agreed to sacrifice his son who was born when the prophet was at an advanced age. Pleased with Ibrahim’s faith and loyalty, God spared Ismayil’s life and, instead, asked the prophet to slaughter a lamb. Ibrahim’s readiness to sacrifice his only son is honoured and celebrated by Muslims all over the world as Eid.

We should be ever ready for the supreme sacrifice of our dearest thing in this world at the call of God, our Creator. That is the ultimate test for salvation, which lies in complete submission, by one’s own free choice, to the Will of the One and Only Creator. The practice of sacrificing animals on Eid Al Adha, apart from its religious significance, is a great social scheme that provides an opportunity for the deprived sections of the society to feast on meat for at least a couple of weeks.