More than two million animals (mainly sheep) will be sacrificed this Friday (February 22, 2002) by pilgrims offering the final rites of Hajj.

King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and his government announced a special project for the utilisation of sacrificial animals in co-ordination with the Islamic Development Bank and the Al-Rajhi Banking & Investment Co. of Saudi Arabia.

The Islamic Development Bank is the agency authorised to distribute sacrificial meat on pilgrims’ behalf. It provides sacrificial animals that fulfil all sharia (Islamic law) and health requirements. Apart from this, it ensures a healthy and clean environment in Holy Makkah and The Hajj sites and will distribute the meat among Muslims in 27 countries. This agency also co-ordinates with local tanneries to sell the hides and skins of the animals.

Al-Rajhi Banking & Investment Co., is a registered bank of Saudi Arabia and has more branches in the Kingdom than Islamic Development Bank. On behalf of the Islamic Development Bank, the Al-Rajhi will co-ordinate the project for sacrificial animals, receive money from the pilgrims, issue delivery orders and carry out other instructions for the sacrifice of the animals.