Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI AND TAARIQ HALIM (ABU DHABI)
These days, technology takes the crowds and the risk out of Al Udhiya — the traditional slaughter of sheep, goats, oxen, and camels during Eid Al-Adha.
Orders for sacrificial meat can be placed via butchery apps or even grocery apps. The slaughter is performed at accredited abattoirs in the UAE, and the meat is packaged and delivered to your doorstep.
Eid Al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, commences on 10th of Dhul-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar, or June 6 in the Gregorian calendar this year.
Al Udhiya is a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s test of faith, where God asked him to sacrifice his son Ismail. Ibrahim passed the test and God replaced Ismail with a goat.
The meat from the sacrifice is distributed among family members and a third of it goes to the needy.
In the past, UAE residents would visit authorised slaughterhouses to get their sacrificial meat for Eid Al Adha; but online platforms have made the process much easier.
Ordering by Apps
For a second year, retail apps noon Minutes and Careem have launched Al Udhiya services, giving users a chance to order their animals using their smartphones. Prices range from Dh1,000 for a Somali goat to Dh7,000 for a 150kg cow.
noon Minutes has again partnered with meat distribution app Zabehaty, and orders for 2025 have already doubled from their launch year in 2024.
noon Minutes spokesperson Saro Djerrahian, GM Commercial, explains: “Sacrifices are performed by our trusted partner Zabehaty after Eid prayers, in line with Islamic principles and hygiene standards. Fresh meat is delivered to your door, with live updates every step of the way.
“We brought the service back — and made it bigger — because demand has been so strong. Orders are already up 50% vs last year, with more expected as Eid gets closer.
Djerrahian said stringent measures are in place to ensure hygiene and cultural standards are maintained.
“This is an important service for us, and we take every detail seriously. Sacrifices are carried out by certified experts at licensed facilities, fully Sharia-compliant and professionally managed. Customers will get confirmation and contact info for total peace of mind.”
Careem Groceries, in partnership with Dhabayeh Al Emarat, offers local and imported options. According to their catalogue, a 14–17kg local goat aged 12 to 24 months costs Dh1,723, while a 7–9-month-old Naimi sheep (16–20 kg) is priced Dh2,143.
Customers can opt to have their meat delivered at home, or donate it directly to the UAE Food Bank.
DMT Preparations
The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) in Abu Dhabi has finalised all the slaughterhouses’ preparations for Sharia-compliant public services this Eid.
Their services include dedicated pre-slaughter veterinary inspection offices and cutting, wrapping, and vacuum-sealing services.
Smart applications also provide the option of easy home delivery.
On the app, residents can choose the type of meat, the time of the sacrifice, and the nearest slaughterhouse.
The basic service pillars — veterinary inspection; halal, religious slaughter; and hygiene — will be adhered to.
Aletihad spoke with Ali Shujaa, Executive Director of the Zabehaty smart app, about how the app has transformed Al Udhiya.
“The app was initially designed to facilitate general public access and alleviate congestion at slaughterhouses, including the elderly and people of determination.”
He described how the process works: “Carcasses are selected by a specialised team from the municipality, examined by veterinarians, and then transported to municipal slaughterhouses. They are slaughtered, cut up, packaged and prepared, then transported in special refrigerated vehicles to the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), where they are distributed across all emirates and locations.
“The services are supervised by the municipality, including the municipal slaughterhouses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra, and Sharjah. Municipal oversight is mandatory, so the procedures are clear and regulated.”
Shujaa also highlighted the app’s gifting and donation services: “We work with organisations like the Emirates Red Crescent, and others.”
On the use of technology, he noted: “The application itself uses artificial intelligence to respond to customers, and the cutting and packaging equipment is electric.”
Khaled Almessabi, Manager of the Halal Mazrana app, said the platform ensures the freshness of the meat and allows the customers to manage the delivery.
“Slaughtering takes place immediately after the Eid prayer, at municipality-approved slaughterhouses. The customer can also select from various farm and livestock owners based on their prices and delivery times.
“All sacrifices are handled by the approved slaughterhouses, in line with the procedures adopted at the slaughterhouse itself, with the presence of a veterinarian.”
The app is integrated with Abu Dhabi and Al Ain municipalities for seamless service delivery.
ADAFSA Awareness Campaign
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority is intensifying its efforts to raise public awareness about the importance of slaughtering livestock in licensed abattoirs.
The campaign aims to curb random slaughter practices and dealings with unlicensed butchers, reinforcing biosecurity measures and public health standards to prevent zoonotic diseases that can spread between humans and animals.
ADAFSA emphasises that slaughtering in regulated abattoirs plays a vital role in ensuring public health. Abattoirs across Abu Dhabi offer controlled environments that minimise contamination risks, ensuring that carcasses are processed in clean and hygienic conditions and preventing cross-contamination.
Veterinary inspections before and after slaughter guarantee the safety of meat for human consumption. Qualified and legally licensed butchers oversee the process, while waste management protocols ensure the safe disposal of slaughtering by-products, aligning with biosecurity regulations.
ADAFSA also ensures that Islamic slaughtering guidelines — including proper positioning, recitation, precise cutting techniques for efficient bleeding, and full exsanguination — are adhered to, as poor bleeding due to fever or improper cutting can compromise meat quality.
ADAFSA’s campaign encourages residents to utilise Abu Dhabi’s modern abattoirs, which adhere to high safety and hygiene standards, ensuring that slaughtered meat is safe for consumption.
