By Noor Hammad Wariman

JEDDAH, Nov 26 (NNN-BERNAMA) -- The meat from 700,000 sheep and 10,000 cows and camels sacrificed by Muslims on the occasion of Eid Al Adha will be distributed to the poor in Mecca and in 24 countries across the world as part of the Saudi Arabia Project for the Utilisation of Haj meat.

Islamic Development Bank (IDB) President Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali said here Tuesday the project, managed by the IDB since 1982, distributed the meat of animals sacrificed during the haj.

Speaking at a reception for journalists from Muslim countries who are currently in the Kingdom covering the Haj, he said the project was designed to make the animal sacrifice ritual of the Haj easy for pilgrims by providing animals that meet all Syariah and health requirements while ensuring the environment around the holy sites remained clean.

He said that people could purchase nusuk (coupons) for sacrificial animals via the project's website (www adahi.org) using a credit card or from Saudi Post, Al-Rajhi Bank, Al-Moudi Foreign Exchange Bureau and the offices of the Al-Haj and Al-Muatamir Society in Mecca.

"Please tell your brothers and sisters to avoid dealing with unscrupulous persons selling nusuk directly to the pilgrims as they create problems to the environment in holy places," he appealed to media representatives to help sensitise pilgrims of their respective countries.

Dr Ahmad also said that all animals were inspected by veterinary doctors and Syariah scholars to ensure they met requirements of health and Syariah.

The availability of several modern slaughterhouse facilities enabled the pilgrims to perform the ritual in the best possible manner, he said.

Every year, the Saudi project recruits about 37,000 manpower including butchers, veterinarians, Islamic syariah supervisors and administrators. -- NNN-BERNAMA