Slaughtering an animal for sacrifice continues to be an important religious and cultural ritual that defines Eid al-Adha. Muslim believers, as they say, respond to God’s call for charity, while religious scholars emphasize that the purpose of this act is to draw closer to God. The increase in the price of animals, despite the fact that it is creating dissatisfaction among buyers; this does not stop them from performing this religious obligation.
The imam of the “Bedri Kamberi” Mosque in Prishtina, Labinot Maliqi, says that the sacrifice as an act dates back to the first man, Adam, while emphasizing that the purpose of slaughtering an animal for sacrifice is to get closer to God and charity.
Maliqi tells KosovaPress that the meat of the animal that is slaughtered as sacrifice should be divided into three parts, one for oneself, one for family members and the other for the needy, orphans or others.
The purchase of animals for sacrifices by Muslim believers is done in farms or other places.
“Te Gasht” farm has been dealing with animal husbandry for several years now, selling and slaughtering animals for sacrifice.
Albion Gashi for KosovaPress says that this year there has been great interest in the purchase of animals, despite the fact that their price has increased. He said that the price for a sheep starts from 200 euros, while he says that for this Eid he has sold over 150 animals for sacrifice and that the number is expected to increase during these two days.
Meanwhile, another farmer, who did not wish to speak on camera, says that the price of sheep starts from 230 to 300 euros.
Although the prices have risen, the Muslim believers continue to slaughter the sacrifice.
Islam Rrahimi shows that for every year he slaughters an animal as a sacrifice, until he remembers the times a few years ago, he points out that this action had greater value for the needy. But, Rrahimi says that for the conditions and standard of living in Kosovo, the prices of animals for sacrifice are expensive.
Gani Sijarina also says that on the day of Eid al-Adha they will slaughter an animal. He says that they divide the meat of the sacrifice into three or more parts, just as the Islamic religion says, but he adds that some do not even accept it.
The first day of Eid al-Adha is on Sunday, June 16, 2024. The central manifestation for the territory of Kosovo, dedicated to the holiday of Eid al-Adha, is held in the Great Mosque in Prishtina. /Z. Zeneli/
