Just in time for Haj - get your animal sacrifice coupons...

But make sure it's an OFFICIAL animal sacrifice coupon. (a tip of the cleaver to Aunty Dhimmitude) Last year false coupons were distributed (surely that is haraam) and their Haj was left incomplete. Oh the humanity!

JEDDAH, 12 November 2007 — With pilgrims required to sacrifice animals as part of the Haj rituals, they have been warned against falling prey to unauthorized individuals distributing unofficial coupons for animal sacrifice.

Ahmed Muhammad Ali, president of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), delivered the warning at an annual meeting with Haj officials, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) delegates and representatives from foreign embassies yesterday.

Ali said the only authorized provider of sacrifice coupons in the Kingdom is the Saudi Project for Utilization of Haj Meat, which is managed by the IDB.

Ali said last year there were reports of fake coupons being distributed resulting in people’s pilgrimages being left incomplete, as livestock was not being sacrificed.

Valid coupons are sold through Al-Rajhi Bank, the Al-Amoudi Exchange Co. and the Saudi Project for Utilization of Haj Meat’s website: http://www.adahi.org/.

There are two types of slaughterhouses that are run during Haj by the Saudi Project for Utilization of Haj Meat: Open-door slaughterhouses (for sheep, camels and cows) and closed-door slaughterhouses that are exclusively reserved for sheep. In open-door slaughterhouses, pilgrims can select their own animals. The meat is then transported to eligible recipients and all animals are checked by vets.

In closed-door slaughterhouses, pilgrims arrange their slaughters by proxy. Access to these slaughterhouses is permitted to representatives of pilgrims and one permit is granted to a representative of a group of pilgrims consisting of no less than 30 pilgrims.

“We advise pilgrims to delegate the sacrificing ritual... For those wishing to go to open slaughterhouses we advice them to avoid crowded hours,” said Ali, adding that meat is distributed to the poor in Makkah and exported to poor Muslims across the world.

The IDB chief said that previously meat would go bad in the heat and would be shoveled in large holes to be burned. However, the Kingdom’s new animal sacrifice system minimizes such occurrences.

Ali said a shipment of meat would also be sent to Darfur this year. Slaughtering of animals begin immediately after Eid prayers and is completed before the sunset of Dhul Hijjah 13.

The Kingdom established the Saudi Project for Utilization of Haj Meat in 1403AH to enable pilgrims to have a smooth and trouble-free Haj, and to make maximum utilization of the sacrificial meat.

Bonus Haj tip: Chapped thighs marring your haj, there pilgrim? Here's your answer.