Slaughter Week: Malaysian festival marks the killing of thousands of animals.

This week marks the final week of classes for university students, an awkward moment for British actor Richard Aoyade and the slaughter of thousands of cattle, sheep, goats, and camels. A few weeks ago here in Australia it was Mental Health Week and this week in Malaysia it’s the festival of sacrifice, a shocking contrast.

Expressing our beliefs and culture is part of what makes us human, but when it comes at the expense of thousands of innocent animals activists around the world stand up and make it public.

The Festival of Sacrifice, also known as Hari Raya Haji, is a Muslim celebrated festival commemorating the day in which prophet Ibrahim sacrificed his own son in the name of Allah. The festival is being celebrated around the world including Malaysia where thousands of Australian livestock are being shipped over like cargo to meet brutal and inhumane sacrificing.

In Australia we have organisations such as RSPCA and Animals Australia that have stood up for animal rights resulting in strict laws when it comes to the slaughtering of animals on our own shores. However, as soon as these animals reach foreign soil their rights fall away and they are subject to horrors many cannot bear to witness, all in the name of celebration.  

In the past 30 years more than 2.5 million animals have died during their voyages often due to heat stroke, confinement, and dehydration. The journey to countries with a demand for Australian livestock is perilous and inhumane in itself. This however does not compare to the horror that is awaiting Australian livestock upon arriving in countries such as Malaysia that carry no laws to protect animal rights.

Both RSPCA and Animals Australia are standing up this week for the animals involved in the Festival of Sacrifice in Malaysia by distributing graphic videos and photos depicting the torture via social media and their respective websites.

Despite the cruelty continuing, it is the hope for every animal lover that enough backlash against the festival’s methods is caused and another approach to commemorate the celebrations can be found.

Taylor-Jayne Wilkshire

Image: Taylor-Jayne Wilkshire