MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO: The Wakfs Board of Sri Lanka has decided not to permit slaughtering of Qurbani animals within any Mosque Premises throughout the island, while the Colombo Municipality said here that it is ‘Okay’ to slaughter animals adhering to veterinary requirements of the local body
Accordingly, all trustees are directed not to permit any slaughtering of any qurbani animals within any mosque premises in the island. A.B.M. Ashraff, Director of Wakfs (MMCT) ,Director, Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs announced in his circular dated,July 13 .
Speaking to Colombo Times, Ashraff said that the decision has been taken in accordance with an instruction from the Wakfs Board. “ We sincerely trust and hope that the board of management of all the mosques throughout the island will follow suit,
However, Deputy Mayor of Colombo, M.T.M.Iqbal told Colombo Times that the Colombo Municipal Council will issue temporary permits to slaughter Qurbani animals to observe the Haj Festival this year which falls on July 21.” Such permits will not be given for Poya days. Iqbal explained that this was the system followed last year too and such permits can be issued to individual requests too.
Last week on representation made by the Muslim councilors of the Colombo Muncipal Council, CMC, a meeting held under the chairmanship of Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake it was decided to request the concerned Veterinary Department of the CMC to make the arrangements for slaughtering for the three days following the Haj Festival on 21, excluding the Poya day on July 23.
A trustee of a mosque in Colombo lamented that there is no coordination between the Wakfs Board and the CMC. “ We are at a loss to follow whom? to slaughter the animals in Colombo or take outside the city limits.”
A CMC official said that animals slaughtered in licensed slaughter houses are screened for health reasons and the animal waste are diverted to proper channels adhering to health guidelines.
