It is we who, without any consideration whatsoever for others, simply throw offal of animals right outside our homes.
RAWALPINDI: During Eidul Azha, some of the streets of Rawalpindi, especially those in the older parts, had such a foul stench that it was not possible for anyone to even walk through them. Many of these streets were littered with offal, innards and entrails of the animals and this was evidence that the city’s municipal authorities had not done a good job.
I say, why blame the city government, which is what most people tend to do, and also the media? The municipal authorities have limited resources and they are doing their best given the magnitude of the task. The fact is that the janitorial staff work overtime and work through the Eid holidays. I think it is we who are to be blamed for the mess that happens every year. It is we who, without any consideration whatsoever for others or the unhygienic conditions that will be created, simply throw offal of animals right outside our homes instead of disposing them of properly.
Do we all not know of the saying ‘Safai Nisf Eman’? It seems we don’t because if we did, we would make sure that the mess that is created after every Eidul Azha doesn’t happen.
Like in most other Muslim countries, the government should designate proper slaughterhouses, preferably outside the city where such sacrifices can be carried out.
Col (retd) Riaz Jafri
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2013.
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