Jeddah,1.11.08, as part of the ongoing groundwork for the implementation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Project of Hajj Meat for Utilization during the 1429H Hajj, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, President of the Islamic Development Bank, met on Saturday, at the IDB Headquarters in Jeddah, with officials in charge of Hajj matters at embassies and consulates of OIC member countries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other countries to acquaint them with this major Islamic project, which has successfully completed its twenty sixth year, thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ and the Crown Prince’s generous assistance to the Project. On the occasion, the President, IDB, spoke about the Project’s noble objectives and stated that it was established 26 years ago as part of efforts to utilize Hajj meat during Hajj seasons given the moment of the ritual and the need to ensure that the environment of the Holy Sites are clean. He dwelled on the Project’s noble objectives of serving the pilgrims by providing sheeps that meet all Sharia and health requirements and by ensuring that the environment around the Holy Sites is clean . The President of IDB Group pointed out that the Project has enabled pilgrims to perform this rite with great ease and thus focus on other Hajj rites. “It reassures them that the animals meet all Sharia and health requirements”. He added that the Project helps to make the meat available to its rightful beneficiaries among the poor at the Holy Mosque and Holy Sites as well as beneficiaries in many Muslim countries and Muslim communities all over the world. He indicated that the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques had spent over SR 1 billion on the modern automated slaughterhouses, which are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. During the month of Jumada II (June) this year, the Hajj Meat Utilization Committee and the Saudi Post Office signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the IDB Headquarters whereby the latter shall market and sell the Project’s Hady, Adahi, Sadaqa and Fidya coupons at Saudi Posts’ outlets throughout the Kingdom and through the latter’s website, which is advanced in electronic sales, marketing, public services and e-commerce. This would make Hady and Adahi coupons easily available and make it easy for Hajj and Umra pilgrims as well as Saudi citizens and residents to buy the coupons. The Project’s website is: www.adahi.org which is designed, in collaboration with the National Commercial Bank, to enable individuals intending to buy sheep for Hady or Odhiya to do so with a credit card or through money transfer. The Project has made provisions for 700,000 sheep and 10,000 cows and camels which are routinely inspected by veterinary doctors and Sharia scholars to ensure respective compatibility The President appealed to the media to help sensitize pilgrims of their respective countries about the need to avoid going to the Project’s abattoirs during peak periods. He then answered questions on the Bank’s various activities, in general, and about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Project for the Utilization of Hajj Meat, in particular.
At the end of the meeting, the President expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Crown Prince and the Government of Saudi Arabia for their valuable support to the Islamic Development Bank as well as for their support to the noble Hajj meat utilization project, which is designed to demonstrate Allah’s wisdom through this ritual.