A file photo of a Kashmiri child carrying hay past sheep on sale at a market place (AFP)

M. Hanif Lakdawala, Special For IOL

MUMBAI, January 28 (IslamOnline.net) - Keen on avoiding epidemic outbreaks usually caused by the improper disposal of sacrificed animals, Muslims in Mumbai have been striving for a Environment-friendly Eid Al-Adha or Bakrid.

Due to the urban lifestyle and lack of adequate space, sacrificing the animal and disposing off the related waste used to cause a major problem every year.

Therefore, epidemics used to break out in the Muslim dominated localities in Mumbai in the past.

Dr Asad Mirza, a general practitioner in the Muslim-dominated Bhendi Bazar area in south Mumbai, reported a rise of at least 30 to 35 per cent in the cases of diarrhea, typhoid and malaria every year after Bakrid.

"The reason is not far to seek. Due to lack of civic sense, most of the Muslim families drain off the blood of the animal into the common drainage, which clogs the entire drainage system.

"Moreover the waste of the animal is left in the open for days turning these areas into a perfect breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria leading to the epidemic outbreak," added Dr Mirza.

However, Muslims of all social background came up with alternative solutions to avoid such recurrences.

The posh housing societies began reserving the space in their large compound for the purpose of sacrificing animals and taking care of the waste disposal.

Muslims in middle-class localities have been reserving community halls or Jamaatkhanas of the localities and asked residents to keep their animals there, feed them and sacrifice them there at nominal cost.

Zubair Bagban, who used to keep and sacrifice the animals on the terrace of his residence, is now keeping them at the community hall.

A fruit dealer, Bagban took pains watching the women of the household struggling to clean the blood and disposing off the waste.

"But now that problem has been solved as I, my relatives and friends do the Qurbani at the community hall and in an organized manner," he said jubilantly.

Others have struck deals with their regular mutton suppliers or butchers whereby the butcher would purchase the animal, keep it, feed it and on Bakrid day, sacrifice it and then make home delivery of the meat.

"This is not only a cost effective measure, but also saves time and is environmental friendly," said Syed Zia, a timber merchant who sacrifices seven animals every Eid Al-Adha.

Since our mutton suppliers are professionals and have the infrastructure, they easily manage the waste and protect the environment, added Zia.

Nazir, a Classic Mutton Corner merchant, was able to convince 28 of his regular customers for their Bakrid package last year which included purchase of the animal to home delivery of the mutton.

"This year, the booking has crossed 50, our target is at least 100 customers," says Nazir.

Dr Javid Shaikh who has registered with the Classic Mutton Corner package is now a relived man.

"Every year in the past, we had to search for a good butcher and then struggle to dispose off the waste. Last years, my family celebrated Bakrid in peace without any problem of purchasing the animal and disposing off the waste," he recalled.

Several Muslim social organizations in Mumbai are promoting the option of "combined Qurbani" or sacrifice.

On a visit to any Muslim locality in Mumbai this time of the year, one can find a slew of organizations offering individual share in the combined sacrifice.

The blackboard banners, handbills and posters announce the details and cost of each share.

Last week, students of Akbar Peerbhoy College launched a campaign in Muslim localities of Mumbai to promote awareness and importance of environment-friendly Eid Al-Adha.

"We are launching a coordinated campaign with other Colleges. We intend to educate the Muslim that in the plural society like India its imperative that Eid Al-Adha is celebrated in such a way that it not only respect the sensitivity of the non-Muslim but also promote the unique feature about Islam," said Asif khan, the coordinator of the campaign.

Saeed Khan, president of Muslim Youth of India, has reiterated full support for the environment-friendly Eid Al-Adha campaign of the Akbar Peerbhoy College.

Siddique Qasmi, of the social and welfare Roshni group, has been organizing combined sacrifice over the past five years.

"The majority of people who opt for combined Qurbani are from the lower and the middle class. Since according to Islam, a single animal such as a bullock can have seven shares , offering such facilities of combined Qurbani helps a Muslim from the lower class to offer Qurbani," he said.

"We purchase animals in bulk and at wholesale rates. So we are able to keep the per share amount to the minimum. Last year and this year also, the per share amount is Rs 550 which is very reasonable," Qasmi added.

Yakub Patel, of the Muslim Youth Forum, is also a strong proponent of combined sacrifice.

He maintains that the environmental-friendly factor and beef for the poor are the twin benefits of combined sacrifice.

"Every year, we organized combined Qurbani. The beef is packed in small polythene bags and distributed among the poor Muslims and since we have a group of volunteers, we easily take care of the waste and protect the environment," Patel added.

Many social and religious organizations arrange for combined Qurbani as it helps them to meet their budget for various social and welfare activities.

Mahmood Patel, local president of Jamaat-e-Islami, organizes combined sacrifice every year and also promotes this concept among friends.

"Since we organized combined Qurbani, we get the animal hides and by selling it, we have been able to generate funds for our dawah and welfare activities," he said.

Most of the organizations offering combined sacrifice options also offer the facilities of providing the beef to the individuals who have booked their shares.

"While booking, we ask the person if they want their share of beef, what part and how much quantity. Then we pack it accordingly and ask them to collect it from our city office on the appointed day and time," Patel added.

Rais Khan, trustee of Madrassa-e-Mohammediya in Bandra, also organizes combined sacrifice every year.

The booking is done in Mumbai, but the animals are sacrificed in the interiors of Maharashtra.

"The idea is that the beef is distributed among the poor Muslims in the hinterland. Also the finance generated by selling the skin of the animal goes into sponsoring poor Muslim students living in the villages," asserted Khan.

Ashraf Memon, a businessman, prefers combined Qurbani organized by the local unit of Darool Uloom Deoband.

"Previously, I used to spend the entire day purchasing the animal and then completing the entire process. It was very tiring, hectic and expensive. I could not spend time with family on Bakrid. Now I book 10 shares each in the name of the individuals in our family and get home delivery of the beef. This way, I save time and also support the poor students studying in the madrassas."