Sacrificial animals reared on rooftop hit the ground

Hussain says buys calves and fattens them for sacrifice as a hobby for past 20 years

KARACHI:

In, now an annual ritual of Nazimabad, Syed Ijaz Hussain on Sunday brought down the sacrificial bulls from his roof with the help of a crane about 10 days ahead of Eidul Azha.

Expert crane operators lowered seven hefty bulls from the four-storied building in the densely populated neighbourhood with cheering crowds below.

Hussain has been buying calves to fatten them for Eid's sacrifice for the past 20 years on the roof of his home in Nazimabad.

He told the media persons present on the occasion that he had bought these animals six months ago. The bulls are now 2.5-year old he said adding the trend of rearing sacrificial animal on rooftops is gaining popularity due to the rising prices of livestock.

PHOTO: Dua Abbas

A large number of citizens expressed their surprise after seeing the cattle coming down from the roof with the help of a crane, on the other hand, some children also looked scared at this stage. The children cheered and clapped after seeing these interesting scenes.

Local residents said that the neighbour has been rearing animals for the past twenty years. All the residents, including children and elderlies of the entire neighbourhood, look forward to this annual activity. Asim Ali, a neighbour of Hussain said that these animals raised for sacrifice will be taken down by a crane and sacrificed in the name of Allah with respect and devotion.

Hussain told The Express Tribune that he has been pursuing this hobby for the past 20 years. He said that he had bought the seven calves six months ago. The whole family takes part in rearing the sacrificial bulls. "We feed our bulls porridge and green fodder, get them vaccinated from certified veterinarians, and give them all the love and care one would give to a dear pet," he said adding, "we never give any injections to fatten the animals."

PHOTO: Dua Abbas

As young calves, they eat meals worth Rs600 per day and within three months they are chomping in fodder and porridge worth over Rs1,000 per day, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2023.