Muslims from Hérault and Gard have decided to use the money allotted for purchasing sheep for slaughter during Eid Al-Adha for a school project or for a charitable association. The “boycott” is to raise awareness among local authorities around problems faced during the holiday.
On September 8 Muslim residents received an anonymous text message calling for a boycott. Several days later, local Muslim leaders gathered and decided to “not sacrifice any sheep this year.”
Abdallah Zekri, member of the French Council of the Muslim Faith, confirmed their decision. “There are not enough slaughterhouses to properly proceed with the rite. This poses a problem. And then, as I’ve already said, it’s the Muslims that are sheared, not the sheep. The prices go from 120 Euros to 280 Euros!” For Zekri, the boycott could raise awareness and help the situation in the future.
“In Paca, there are mobile slaughterhouses, that works better,” he said. “If Muslims mobilize, that will give sellers and farmers something to think about!”
The same text message said that fines for underground slaughterhouses were increased. In reality this is false. Since 2010 there has been a fine of 15,000 Euros and up to 6 months in prison.
Currently the boycott is limited to communities in Hérault and Gare.
