Low-key sallah: Economic crisis forces Muslims to avoid ram sacrifice

Due to the crippling economic situation in the country and the high cost of goods and services, huge numbers of Muslims across Nigeria on Saturday found it difficult to fulfill the obligation of sacrifice animal, which is the most essential part of the celebration of Eidel-Kabir.

Even though the festival was mainly celebrated on Saturday, July 9, 2022, equivalent to 10 Dhul-Hijjah 1443, the celebration continues until Tuesday, which is the 13th day of the lunar month.

This implies that Muslims wishing to perform animal sacrifice still have the option of doing so today (Sunday), tomorrow and Tuesday.

However, despite this opportunity, many devotees have no hope of being able to afford the prohibitive costs of the prescribed sacrificial animals which include camels, cows, sheep and goats before the grace period expires. One of the Muslim worshipers who spoke to the Sunday Tribune on Saturday about their experiences trying to fulfill this once-a-year religious obligation is Mr Azeez Yekeen.

Yekeen said: "It is undeniable that this year Muslims, the majority of whom are at the bottom of the economic ladder in Nigeria, are grappling with the rampant prices of Sallah rams.

“The situation is particularly bad this year due to the high cost of fuel, especially diesel, and its serious implication for the transport of these animals from the North to the rest of the country. rams to raise animal prices.

"This year, to buy the smallest mature ram suitable for the needs of Eidel-Kabir, and not a glorified lamb, you must spit at least 90,000 N. If you want your children to be truly proud and welcomes you with a smile, then you have to bring home a ram whose price ranges between N150,000 and N250,000.

"If you only have N45,000 to spend, you might as well forget to perform the Ileya Rite of Animal Sacrifice this year."

Yekeen, who is the secretary of Iba Oluyole Mosque in Anfani, Ibadan, Oyo State, added, "In order to defy the odds and perform the gratifying act of performing animal sacrifices at Eid-el-Kabir, some of the congregation in our mosque, took an option that many are unwilling to take, that is, a maximum of seven people pool money for buy a cow. Fourteen of them bought two cows this year and shared the meat.

Meanwhile, two Islamic scholars have advised government at all levels, especially the central one, to wake up from its slumber and rise to the challenge of solving the problems facing Nigeria and restoring life comfortable for citizens.

Professor Afis Oladosu from the Arabic and Islamic Department of the University of Ibadan, in a telephone interview with Sunday Tribune, lamented the deteriorating economic situation in the country and the continued suffering of Nigerians due to the adoption and implementation of bad policies by governments.

For example, Professor Oladosu said it is irrational for Nigeria, which has an abundance of crude oil, to export the product and then import it back into the country in refined form while leaving its own local refineries behind. moribund.

According to him, such a practice makes no economic sense and is insulting to the country. He expressed hope that a new set of leaders with good ideas would emerge next year and rekindle hope for a better Nigeria.

Furthermore, popular preacher Dr. Dawood Amoo (Alaga) urged the government to save the economy of the country by coming up with the right policies and programs.

Dr. Amoo advised the government to revive the idea of ​​agricultural settlement which he says is capable of providing job opportunities for the army of unemployed youths and ensuring the country's food security.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday observed that the two-year closure of the country's borders ordered by his administration had brought many Nigerians back into farming.

Speaking to reporters after Eid-Al-Kabir prayers at his country house in Daura, Katsina State, he said those who made the decision to return to the farm did not regret it as he said that Nigeria can now feed itself as a result and also export rice. He hopes this year's rains will be enough to allow farmers to have bountiful harvests.

While noting that people know those who organize and attack others and institutions, Buhari insisted that these criminals be exposed.

"We pray that the rainy season will be good for the production of the food we consume in the country.

"Look when we closed the borders for about two years, a lot of people went back to the farms and they didn't regret that decision. Now we feed ourselves and export rice.

"My advice is that people who organize and attack institutions and communities...