Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Islamic Development Bank has urged pilgrims to opt for Saudi Project for Utilization of Haj Meat (Adahi) managed by the bank, instead of personally performing the animal sacrifice during Haj.

IDB President Bandar Hajjar, who is also head of the Adahi project, urged foreign missions engaged in Haj operations to encourage pilgrims to purchase the Adahi coupons.

He formally announced at an annual meeting of foreign missions on Monday that the price of the coupon for this year was fixed at SR475 ($127), which is slightly higher than last year’s Haj.

Hajjar said the Adahi project was one of the many services offered by Saudi Arabia to pilgrims in order to make the ritual sacrifice affordable and easy.

He recalled that before the initiation of the Adahi project 36 years ago, performing the sacrifice was extremely difficult for the pilgrims. He said the project also sought to protect pilgrims against unscrupulous elements that took advantage of the situation.

Hajjar said the project aimed at serving the pilgrims by providing livestock that meet all Shariah and health requirements and by ensuring the cleanliness of the environment around the Holy Sites. He also observed that veterinarians and Shariah scholars inspect the animals for sacrifice from time to time.

Every year more than 40,000 people, starting from transportation workers to veterinary specialists, are employed to execute the project.

The IDB chief said a total of eight modern slaughterhouses would be operating in the Holy Sites. He explained that a comprehensive automated system was designed for cutting, transporting, cleaning, preservation and distributing 1.2 million heads of sheep and cattle. In addition, advanced technology is utilized for drying and canning to preserve the meat for up to 12 months.

Hajjar stated that the project enabled pilgrims to perform the sacrifice with great ease and thus focus on other Haj rites. The project also helps distribute the meat to its rightful beneficiaries among the poor in the holy city as well as in 25 Muslim countries and Muslim communities all over the world.

Rahmi Ahmed Rahmi, general supervisor of Adahi Project, has informed that the Adahi coupons are available with the branches of Al-Rajhi Bank, Saudi Post's outlets throughout the Kingdom and Nama charity organization.

The coupons can also be bought through the project's website www.adahi.org as well as the Haj Ministry website by credit card and through money transfer.