Qurban
Source: WikiMedia

Slaughtering animals in the streets is a "sin" and against Islam, according Egypt's Dar Al Ifta religious institution.

The organization, which is connected to Al-Azhar, recently released a statement clarifying this ahead of the Eid Al-Adha festivities, Egypt Independent reported

The holiday – which commemorates when God asked Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael, but then provided an animal instead – often sees sheep, cows, and goats slaughtered inhumanely in the streets throughout the Arab world and other Muslim countries.

However, as the Islamic body noted, such practices are not only cruel to the animals, but are also dangerous for public health.

Islamic law prohibits individuals from killing animals in a cruel or brutal manner. Specific instructions on how animals should be slaughtered in a humane and halal manner must be followed by Muslims.

Yet, it's all too routine to see animals tortured and mocked as they are being slaughtered for the holiday. 

Egypt and other regional countries are trying to crack down on such brutal practices, while raising awareness that these actions go against Islam and create a serious health risk to society.

In Dubai, butchers slaughtering animals in an illegal way face fines of 2,000 dirhams ($544.) 

"If [butchers] are working in the cattle market, we will issue a fine of Dh2,000. If they repeat the offense, we will cancel the license of their shop," Faisal Al Badaiwi, a representative from Dubai Police said, according to Gulf News.

In Saudi Arabia, a controversial hashtag has been trending this week, with some people vowing not to slaughter animals for Eid. Although some got behind the trending topic, others were quick to criticize.

"So it's okay for animals to be kept in cages, injected with hormones, even thrown into machines when they're still alive, and you object to them being sacrificed for Eid. We all know that when it's done the right way, this kind of slaughter does less harm to an animal than any of the others."