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Saudi Arabia has completed slaughterhouse preparations ahead of Eid Al Adha, which begins on Wednesday.
Authorities have secured all ports of access and entry into the holy city of Makkah, and are prepared to begin the careful examination of livestock.
The Ministry of Environment on Monday said that 2.3 million “heads of cattle were cleared” this week.
Saudi authorities are ensuring cattle are free from disease to preserve the health of residents and pilgrims.
Muslims around the world celebrate the first day of Eid Al Adha with animal sacrifices, most commonly sheep, to honour the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son to God.
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Eid Al Adha lights along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
A child chooses a thread spool from a display at a tailor's shop in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan, ahead of Eid Al Adha. AFP -
A Saudi shepherd and his flock await Eid customers at a market in Riyadh. Reuters -
Feeding sheep in a temporary livestock market in Bengaluru, southern India, in the lead up to Eid Al Adha. Getty Images -
Women working in a tailor's shop at a market in Mazar-i-Sharif, northern Afghanistan, ahead of Eid al-Adha. AFP -
Sacrificial camels and vendors at a cattle market in Lahore, northern Pakistan, in the lead up to Eid Al Adha. AFP -
A man washes a sacrificial cattle at a car wash in Karachi, southern Pakistan, before Eid Al Adha. EPA -
Children with goats in a street in Rawalpindi, northern Pakistan, ahead of Eid Al Adha. AFP -
A vendor prepares traditional sweets in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan, before Eid Al Adha. EPA -
A blacksmith sharpens knives in Peshawar, north-west Pakistan, ahead of Eid Al Adha. EPA -
A man sells camels at a market in the lead up to Eid Al Adha, in Karachi, Pakistan. EPA -
Muslims often slaughter animals during Eid Al Adha, which is the “feast of the sacrifice". EPA -
At most Eid markets, camels cost more than cows and sheep. EPA -
Eid Al Adha decor at the Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Eid Al Adha decor at the Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Eid Al Adha decor at the Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Ornaments for sacrificial animals at a roadside shop before Eid Al Adha in Peshawar, Pakistan. EPA -
A livestock market with cattle due to be slaughtered for Eid Al Adha near Giza, Egypt. Reuters -
A Yemeni market trader sells dried fruit in Sanaa before Eid. AFP -
Roasted nuts for sale in Sanaa ahead of Eid Al Adha. AFP -
Yemenis shop in Sanaa before the festival. AFP -
A sacrificial bull is lowered from a roof by crane in Karachi, Pakistan. Reuters -
A sacrificial animal market in Giza, Egypt. EPA -
An Egyptian butcher prepares slaughtered sacrificial sheep in Cairo. EPA -
During Eid Al Adha, Muslims slaughter an animal divide the meat for family, friends and the poor and needy. EPA -
A sheep imported from Spain is weighed in Skhirat, Morocco. EPA -
A market in Peshawar, Pakistan. Eid Al Adha is one of the holiest Muslims holidays. EPA -
A bull is brought down from the rooftop of a house where it was raised to be sold for Eid Al Adha in Karachi. AP -
A bull at a cattle market on the outskirts of Karachi. AFP -
Customers check the teeth of a camel on the outskirts of Karachi. AFP -
Decorated sacrificial animals for sale in Karachi. EPA -
Emirates Red Crescent staff distribute clothes to 44,000 people in Syria for Eid Al Adha. Wam
Ghaleb Al Saedi, director general of the Waqa Centre Branch in Makkah Region, explained that seven ports have been equipped with emergency teams and a squad to monitor markets and slaughterhouses in the holy city.
Operations at slaughterhouses are overseen by teams from by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture who work to examine livestock, monitor breaches of the agriculture and animal welfare systems, and verify health certificates.
Sixteen teams are working under plans from the National Centre for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases in Makkah for this year's Hajj season.
Officials said strong health measures are in place to control any outbreak and to reduce airborne diseases by monitoring imported livestock to reduce the risk of disease.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Makkah has also approved the work plan for slaughterhouses in Jeddah.
Authorities have been monitoring the development of slaughterhouse facilities, including technical and health requirements, the distribution of labour and butchers, work schedules, equipment, and waste disposal methods.
The ministry has aimed to provide the best services by setting up the Jeddah slaughterhouse to the east of the main motorway and in the south of the governorate.
Only approved slaughterhouses will be able to receive sacrifices during the days of Eid Al Adha and will operate regularly from after fajr prayer until 8pm.
Jeddah slaughterhouses employ nine veterinarians, three veterinary assistants, four supervisors and observers, 275 butchers and 344 other workers.
Licensed kitchens will also be able to slaughter only during the days of Eid Al Adha, provided they have the necessary permits and are in accordance with specific requirements.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the capacity of Jeddah slaughterhouses is 5,000 head per shift.
For those who would prefer not to view the process of live slaughter, the national platform Adahi is available for residents' sacrificial needs.
The project is managed by the Islamic Development Bank and streamlines pilgrims' performance of the Eid Al Adha sacrifice rituals. It also oversees the distribution of the meat to those in need.
The project was launched in 1983 and is supervised by government agencies.
International pilgrims can also use the website to make their sacrifices.
Adahi joined forces with the electronic portal of Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Al Rajhi Bank, the Ehsan platform, Saudi Post, Al Bilad Bank and the Haji and Mutamer’s Gift Association to allow pilgrims as well as Muslims all over the world to make their sacrifices.
