Skip to main content
Sojourners
faith in action for social justice
Sojourners
About
About SojournersEventsOur TeamWork With UsMediaWays to GiveInvite a SpeakerContact Us
SojoAction
OverviewTake ActionIssue AreasResourcesFaith-Rooted AdvocatesChurch Engagement
Magazine
Current IssueArchivesManage My SubscriptionWrite for Sojourners
Sections
LatestPoliticsColumnsLiving FaithArts & CultureGlobalPodcastsVideoPreaching The Word
Subscribe
MagazineRenewPreaching the WordCustomer ServiceNewsletters
Donate
Login / Register

On Eid al-Adha, Tradition Gives Way to Online Innovation

By Richard S. Ehrlich
Screenshot from Bikroy.com. Photo via RNS.
Oct 16, 2013
Share

Muslims in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and elsewhere went online to buy live cows and goats for the traditional Islamic Feast of Sacrifice, known as Eid al-Adha, because shopping on the Internet was easier than going to crowded street markets to buy the animals.

“The purchase of sacrificial animal [online] has gained popularity as it is found to be the most convenient way of buying an animal for the ceremonious day,” Pakistan’s The Nation newspaper reported Wednesday.

Pakistani customers preferred using websites that show photographs of live cows and goats for sacrifice, instead of “the strain one has to take in going to the animal markets, spending countless exhausting hours, bargaining for the one you have finally chosen and then taking the trouble of loading the animal to bring it home,” the paper said.

Sacrificing an animal is a sacred obligation and some websites describe the farms where the animals were raised, what they were fed, and the animals’ weight, age, and health, The Nation said.

Websites ensure home delivery of a live animal, or just the meat after a traditional Islamic slaughter at various premises.

QurbaniOnline.com is one popular site.

In Bangladesh, women are “the main Internet shoppers” buying animals for sacrifice, according to Catholic, Italy-based AsiaNews, which interviewed Muslims in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka.

“I’m a businesswoman,” Shopna Ahmed told AsiaNews, “and in this period I’m very busy. Buying online not only saves me valuable time, but I avoid going to the market, where it is difficult for a woman to haggle over prices.”

The “most-used sites” in Bangladesh include Bikroy.com, which displays photos of animals for sacrifice alongside prices, AsiaNews said.

“We guarantee: No steroids, no urea, no tablets, no chemicals used in feeding. We ensured that no harmful chemical was used in feeding or taking care of the cattle,” said Parag’s Agro, which sells “premium cattle” for slaughter on Bikroy.com.

Muslims around the world slaughter an animal — a goat, sheep, cow, or camel — to reflect the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (or Abraham) to sacrifice his son for the sake of God.

At least one-third of the meat from the animal must go to poor or vulnerable people. Traditionally, Muslims keep one-third of the meat for their family and give the final third to their neighbors.

Richard S. Ehrlich writes for Religion News Service. Via RNS.

Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!

Tell Us What You Think!

We value your feedback on the articles we post. Please fill out the form below, and a member of our online publication team will receive your message. By submitting this form, you consent to your comment being featured in our Letters section. 

Please do not include any non-text characters, such as emojis or other non-standard content, into your submission.  It may cause errors in submitting the form.  Thanks!

Don't Miss a Story!

Sojourners is committed to faith and justice even in polarized times. Will you join us on the journey?
Confirm Your Email Address.
By entering your email we'll send you our newsletter each Thursday. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Screenshot from Bikroy.com. Photo via RNS.
Search Sojourners

Subscribe

Magazine Newsletters Preaching The Word
Follow on Facebook Follow on Bluesky Follow on Instagram Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Sojourners
Donate Products Editorial Policies Privacy Policy

Media

Advertising Press

Opportunities

Careers Fellowship Program

Contact

Office
408 C St. NE
Washington DC, 20002
Phone 202-328-8842
Fax 202-328-8757
Email sojourners@sojo.net
Unless otherwise noted, all material © Sojourners 2025