COLOMBO: The Wakfs Board said on Monday, July19, that slaughtering of Qurbani animals can be done in designated places throughout the island except in the mosque premises .
Clarifying its earlier circular dated July 13 about the slaughtering of Qurbani animals, A.B.M. Ashraff, Director of Wakfs (MMCT) ,Director, Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs told the Colombo Times that some Muslims have misinterpreted that the ban on slaughtering of Qurbani animals ‘as a total ban on the animal sacrifices’ during the Muslim festival which falls on July 21, this year.” We only told them to perform their animal sacrifices in places such as slaughtering houses or any other designated places by the local authorities,” Ashraff said.
“ I am thankful to the mosque authorities who understood our circular well and extended their cooperation in the right spirit,” the director said, adding that only seven mosques had problems in implementing the circular and that too will be sorted out soon in the evening.
Coordinating Secretary to Prime Minister of Islamic Affairs, Abdul Sathar said in a press statement that there is no obstacle laid out by the government to stop the animal sacrifice during this Hajj. “ We have to follow strictly the guidelines stipulated by the government in celebrating the festival in an acceptable manner and this is our duty towards our state,” he added.
