in inflationhit egypt eid sacrifices are a luxury
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

in the Ashmun market, north of the capital Cairo

In inflation-hit Egypt, Eid sacrifices are a luxury

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleIn inflation-hit Egypt, Eid sacrifices are a luxury

Egyptian cattle traders gather at the Ashmun market
Menufia - Muslimchronicle

The cattle traders in the Ashmun market, north of the capital Cairo, jostled to lure customers into buying a buffalo or a sheep for Eid al-Adha, the annual Muslim holiday when custom requires a sacrifice.

But this year, with inflation in Egypt hitting record highs, customers seemed more interested in gawking at the cattle than buying any ahead of Friday, the first day of Eid al-Adha.

"Last year there was more business. This year, no one wants to buy cattle because of the increased prices," said one trader, Mohammed Masoud.

The cost of everything has gone up in Egypt since the country floated the pound late last year -- decreasing its value to the dollar by half -- and raised fuel prices.

Masoud fed his livestock fodder that cost 2.5 pounds ($0.14) a kilogram before the currency was floated. It now costs him seven pounds.

"A calf that cost 15,000 pounds last year now costs 30,000," he said.

Eid al-Adha is one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar when the major pilgrimage takes place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

To commemorate Abraham accepting to sacrifice his son to God only for him to be provided with a ram instead, many Muslims sacrifice a sheep or a cow.

Meat has always been a luxury to many in a country where poverty is rampant, but the new prices are putting off even those who had purchased cattle in previous years to sacrifice on the first day of Eid and distribute the meat among family and the needy.

In July, annual inflation hit 34.2 percent according to official figures.

That follows a series of austerity reforms linked to a $12 billion International Monetary Fund loan that Egypt, hit by years of tumult, desperately needs.

"Even if people want to buy meat, a kilogram costs 130 pounds," said Nasser Abou Kila, who had come to the market in the province of Menufia after spending two weeks trying to find a better deal elsewhere.

- Customers feel impact -

Cattle traders say they were especially unlucky this year with the inflation compounded by an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, which killed off cattle and raised the prices of the ones that survived.

Butchers who buy from large markets, such as the one in Ashmun, also have to factor in increased transport prices.

"Last year it cost 100 to 150 pounds to transport a head of livestock to Cairo. This year it costs 400," said one butcher, Said Masoud.

"There is no comparison with the last Eid al-Adha," said another butcher in Cairo who gave his name as Hassan.

"It was 85 pounds for a kilogram then and now it's 150 to 160."

Customers say they are feeling the impact.

"To buy two kilograms for two days, you have to pay 300 pounds, and that's just for meat," said Naglaa Rajab, a housewife in her 30s.

The government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a former army chief elected after he overthrew his Islamist predecessor in 2013, says it has no choice but to undertake the tough economic measures.

But it is mindful of the strain the reforms are putting on Egyptians, many of whom can barely scrape by every month.

Ahead of Eid al-Adha, the agriculture ministry said it would offer about 50,000 heads of cattle at cheaper than market price, at a discount of between five and 10 pounds per kilogram.

"We're keen that every citizen should have the right to reserve a head of cattle for sacrifice," said ministry spokesman Hamed Abdel Dayem.

But in a country where 28 percent of the 93 million population live under the poverty line and with inflation squeezing the middle class, less Egyptians will be buying livestock.

"Whoever sacrificed a cow last year will sacrifice a sheep this year," said Rajab. "And whoever sacrificed a sheep last year won't be able to afford anything this year."

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

in inflationhit egypt eid sacrifices are a luxury in inflationhit egypt eid sacrifices are a luxury

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 04:05 2016 Saturday ,14 May

EU to provide €55mln for Burundi's people

GMT 08:20 2016 Friday ,22 April

Microsoft profit down 25 percent to $3.8bn

GMT 20:34 2017 Monday ,30 October

Ethiopian 'Red Terror' trial opens in Dutch court

GMT 08:01 2017 Monday ,24 July

A look at major issues Duterte is confronting

GMT 19:41 2017 Wednesday ,23 August

Chad to shutter Qatar embassy, expel diplomats

GMT 01:25 2016 Monday ,26 December

PM congratulates Christians on Christmas

GMT 11:45 2017 Thursday ,02 November

Guantanamo judge finds US general in contempt of court

GMT 01:46 2015 Wednesday ,29 April

VCUQatar names dean for school of Arts

GMT 11:26 2017 Wednesday ,22 February

Dutch corporate takeover defences tough to breach

GMT 21:03 2017 Friday ,07 April

Landmine Kills 20 Civilians in Somalia

GMT 09:17 2018 Monday ,22 January

Syria army says captured key military airport

GMT 10:23 2018 Thursday ,18 January

65 Israeli laws that discriminate against non-Jews

GMT 13:47 2017 Wednesday ,02 August

Tillerson sends senior envoys to handle Qatar crisis

GMT 07:13 2017 Friday ,21 April

Noha Abdeen in 2 drama shows in Ramadan

GMT 05:02 2017 Wednesday ,25 January

European stocks brush off Brexit court ruling
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle