AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) said on Saturday that it will not allow random selling of meat and slaughtering of sheep outside designated locations or by unauthorised people during Eid Al Adha.

 

GAM Spokesperson Nasser Rahamneh told The Jordan Times over the phone that with the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the municipality has increased the number of its inspection teams to reinforce health and safety procedures.

 

By celebrating Eid Al Adha or the feast of the sacrifice, Muslims mark the end of a major ritual in Islam, the Hajj or the greater pilgrimage to Mecca. In Eid Al Adha, Muslims of sufficient means are required to sacrifice livestock in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail to God.

 

New regulations prohibit the slaughtering of sheep inside butcher shops given the Health Ministry’s decision to only license open spaces for sacrifices.

 

Rahamneh reiterated the need to adhere to the GAM’s new regulations at designated locations that do not exceed 100 square metres. 

 

The rules also stipulate that herd density must not to exceed 100 head with each location situating no less than 10 metres away from the one next to it.

 

The official also urged merchants to adhere to health conditions, ensuring that sheep and livestock are free from defects and serious diseases. He said that veterinarians will be present in these locations.

 

“We stress the necessity of the barn or hangar’s commitment to adhere to public safety requirements such as physical distancing and sterilisation,” added Rahamneh.

 

Every merchant must place a fence around their locations, a water tank and a rug for butchering purposes at their own expense, he siad.

 

Merchants must ensure these preparations 48 hours prior to Eid and during the last four days of the festival, with a commitment to cleaning the site upon completion, the official said.

 

Rahamneh called upon those wishing to choose the available sites that are far from residential areas and main streets in the 22 areas offered by the municipality to submit a request with the above-mentioned conditions and permission from the landowner.