Jakarta (BPJPH) --- Eid al-Adha which is celebrated on the 10th of Dzulhijah will soon arrive. Eid al-Adha is often also called Eid al-Hajj because it coincides with the implementation of the pilgrimage in Mecca. Or it is also called Sacrifice Day, because this holiday is always celebrated by Muslims by slaughtering sacrificial animals as a form of sunnah worship.
Eid al-Adha is a holiday full of wisdom and religous value for Muslims around the world. In the context of Halal Product Assurance (JPH), Eid al-Adha is a very appropriate moment to educate the provision of halal and thayyib meat.
"One of the wisdoms of Eid al-Adha is the provision of halal and thayyib animal meat for the community." said the Head of BPJPH Muhammad Aqil Irham, in Jakarta, Tuesday (27/6/2023).
The activity of slaughtering qurban or sacrificial animals, continued Aqil, is an activity of worship carried out by Muslims. Slaughtering sacrificial animals is sunnah muakkad, or it is highly recommended especially for Muslims who can afford it. The slaughter of sacrificial animals is usually coordinated by the qurban committee, the taklim assembly, or the DKM administrators of existing mosques or prayer rooms.
"As a religious activity, the sacrifice of sacrificial animals is usually prepared by the qurban committee or the mosque managements. Slaughter is carried out by people who understand the procedures for slaughtering according to the Islamic Shari'a, and have the ability or expertise to slaughter perfectly." said Aqil.
The slaughterer include being a Muslim, mature and intelligent, and understanding the procedures for slaughtering according to Islamic law. Another thing that is no less important is that he must have the ability or expertise in slaughtering.
Slaughter must also be done with a sharp knife. The place or location of slaughter must also meet hygiene requirements. Thus, it can be ensured that the slaughtered meat is completely protected from hajis and dirt. Slaughter waste also does not pollute the surrounding environment. The location of the animal shelter is also separated from the slaughter, enumeration and packaging.
"However, if it is not possible for the community to carry out the slaughter themselves due to limited space, facilities, or qualified slaughtermen, then the slaughter should be carried out at the nearest Halal-certified RPH (slaughterhouse), in which the halal slaughterman is available." he continued.
Aqil said that animal slaughter is only one of a series of halal links in the supply of halal meat. This is because there are still a number of critical halal points that must be met so that the end result is halal and thayyib meat.
Even though the animal has been slaughtered in a halal way according to the Islamic Shari'a, the halal status of the meat is not only determined on the slaughtering. Because, if the next processing of meat is done incorrectly, for example if it is contaminated with something haram, najis, or dirty, then the result can be haram, or doubtful," Aqil explained.
In order to maintain the halal status, all processing of slaughtered meat must comply with halal standards. Including, the distribution of meat to the recipients. This is in accordance with the halal slaughter standards as stipulated in the JPH regulations.
"It would be very good if the standards for slaughtering qurban or sacrificial animals were noticed, understood and applied to all animal slaughter conducted in society by Muslims whose the product is consumed daily by people." said Aqil.
In everyday life, meat is a primary food needed by society. Meat is a raw material for various kinds of daily food products. Thus, the slaughter service industry is an upstream sector in the halal ecosystem, which is very decisive in the halal value chain for various products circulating in society.
"The meat slaughter service business sector is the upstream sector in the value chain of halal meat-based products. So that the acceleration of halal certification for all (slaughterhouses) RPH, RPU, TPA or TPU is one of the very important things to do." said Aqil appealed.
Slaughtered animals whose meat is usually consumed by the community also vary. Poultry meat such as chicken, duck, goose, lamb, goat, beef, buffalo, which are circulating in the market, the halal status is very much determined by how the meat is slaughtered and processed.
"Consuming halal products is an obligation for Muslims, as a manifestation of obedience to their religion and piety to Allah SWT. So, knowledge of the concept of halal slaughter is very important for Muslims in general." said Aqil explained.
"It is hoped that the slaughter of sacrificial animals will also bring wisdom in raising halal awareness in society, as well as being an educational momentum for providing halal meat and thayyib for people," he explained. []