Belgium Restricts Ritual Slaughter for Eid al-Adha, Muslim Community Adapts

The ban on ritual slaughter without prior stunning will change the appearance of the celebration of Eid al-Adha (Eid el-Kebir), set for August 11, in Belgium. This ban has been in effect since January 1, 2019 in Flanders, and will be effective in Wallonia from September 1.

Despite legal actions by Muslim organizations against these bans, things have remained as they are. The time has come for resignation within the community.

For its part, the Executive of Muslims of Belgium (EMB) invites Muslims in the Walloon Region to go to the slaughterhouses set up thanks to "the initiatives undertaken by the private sector". The list of the six approved slaughterhouses has been made public for this purpose.

As for the residents of the Brussels-Capital Region, the EMB has directed them to the approved slaughterhouse located in Anderlecht.

However, the Muslim organization regrets the significant reduction in slaughter sites without stunning. It is saddened by the fact that "the slaughter capacity on the occasion of the Feast of Sacrifice" is "under pressure".