Over a thousand men engage in accidental self-stabbing during Sacrifice Feast in Turkey

Photo: bull resisting sacrifice in Bursa/AA/Hüseyin Yeşilkavak

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Yesterday (June 28), the four-day lasting Sacrifice Feast, also known as Eid al-Adha, commenced. As part of this religious holiday, thousands of people throughout Turkey consider it 'mandatory' to sacrifice large or small livestock.

Yet, as has been the recurring scenario each year, many animals refuse to comply, resulting in hospitals in major cities inundated with men who inadvertently stabbed themselves or sustained injuries while grappling with the animals' defiance.

Although the Presidency of Religious Affairs indicates that being a man or woman is irrelevant when it comes to animal sacrifice, exclusively men partook in the act of self-inflicted harm during the sacrificial rituals, as no news coverage mentioned the involvement of women in such activities.

These incidents reportedly occurred throughout the county, with İstanbul witnessing the highest number of cases, with 917 incidents, followed by Bursa with 462 cases, Adana with 200 cases, Aydın with over 100 cases, and Kastamonu with 72 cases. The injured individuals were admitted to hospitals, with some requiring surgery.

The slaughter of animals during this sacred festival is a frequent point of discussion. The Religious Affairs High Council stipulates that while animal sacrifice is preferred in most Islamic sects, it is essentially considered obligatory in the Hanafi sect.

However, theologian İhsan Eliaçık challenged this on his Twitter account, stating that there is no religious obligation to sacrifice animals and wished everyone a bloodless and sacrifice-free holiday. (AEK/WM/VK)