Egyptian Animal Rights Activists Wants Reform of Eid al-Adha Slaughter

A New York Times article Monday chronicles the efforts of Egyptian animal-rights proponent Amina Abaza to encourage more humane slaughtering methods on Eid al-Adha. The Muslim holiday, celebrated last week, commemorates the story of Abraham who was permitted to sacrifice a ram instead of his son. Traditionally Muslims slaughter a sheep, cow or camel, and divide the meat between themselves, relatives and the poor. In working class neighborhoods in Egypt, crowds watch butchers wrestle animals to the ground and slit their throats. Little boys play with the blood and teenagers help remove the entrails.  Activists say the butchers fail to abide by Islam's own requirements that the animal should not be mistreated and should not hear or see other animals being killed.