The confirmation of several cases of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) in the Kurdistan Region has led many Muslims in Erbil to refrain from buying animals for sacrifice during Eid al-Adha. Additionally, the Iraqi government's recent decision to halt salary payments to the Region’s civil servants has made it financially impossible for many families to afford the ritual.
Shaban Majid has been trading with livestock for decades. He told Rudaw on Wednesday that the spread of Congo fever and Baghdad’s decision to cut Erbil’s federal budget share are the main reasons behind the lack of activity in the business.
“Animals are in abundance, but no one is buying them,” Majid added.
He lamented that last year he sold at least 16 animals ahead of Eid al-Adha but has yet to sell any this year.
Each year during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims worldwide commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) devotion to God by sacrificing a goat, sheep, cow or camel - symbolizing his readiness to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael).
The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) health ministry has confirmed five cases of CCHF so far, with the last one being reported on Tuesday. It has also instructed people not to slaughter animals at home.