Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Saudi project for the utilization of Haj Meat (ADAHI) under the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) announced the price of one sheep bond this year at SR450, a price lower than last year's Haj.

Twenty-seven countries will be benefitting from the meat that is estimated to range between 750,000 and 900,000 cattle.

Asked about the preparations of the upcoming Haj season, the IDB told Saudi Gazette that around 1,000 jurists and 1,000 veterinarians will be carrying out a comprehensive examination of all the animals to ensure legal and health regulations as part of the total team of 40,000 workers and butchers operating during the Haj.

The project enables pilgrims to perform the charity and ransom rituals during Haj as well as distribute meat to Muslims in the Kingdom and abroad.

Last year, over 712,000 sheep were distributed to the needy of the Holy Mosque through more than 330 charitable organizations.

A contract providing consultancy services for the ADAHI project was recently signed with KPMG company to advance the slaughterhouses’ modern technology.

A comprehensive automated system is designed for cutting, transporting, cleaning, preservation and distribution of Hady products in addition to advanced technology for drying and canning to preserve meat to up to 12 months.

The consultation includes a study of establishing massacres with a capacity that is compatible with the ongoing expansions of the Holy Sites and mass quantity of pilgrims.

The project, operating since 1983, is supervised by a committee comprising of ministries, the Institute of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the IDB.