Cleanliness is next to godliness

With Eid-ul-Azha almost here, Muslims all over the world will be sacrificing animals in the name of the Almighty, including in Bangladesh.

While such sacrifices have usually been carried out in the premises of one’s private property or on more public places such as sidewalks and roads, this practice, more often than not, pollutes the environment.

The veritable ocean of blood and entrails from millions of slaughters which take place every year litter the streets and clog up our drains and sewage system -- and the resulting stench this leaves is the least offensive effect of this practice, as it also poses a very real danger to public health.

As the nation currently finds itself in the midst of a dengue epidemic, it’s not hard to imagine the situation being exacerbated by such irresponsible ways of sacrificing.

Which is all the more unacceptable given that there have been laws passed recently which are meant to discourage the practice of slaughtering animals in public places. The city corporations, in the last few years, have made designated spaces where citizens can carry out sacrifices.

And, yet, very few people have been making use of these places.

What’s more is the dire state of the various grounds where cattle markets open up shop. With next to no efforts being made towards sanitation in these spots around the country, the mud, excreta, and stagnant water form the perfect breeding grounds for aedes mosquitoes.

Eid-ul-Azha is supposed to be one of the holiest days in the Muslim calendar, and hygiene is a quality that is codified in the scriptures. By carrying on with such irresponsible behaviour, not only do we risk exacerbating the current dengue epidemic -- among other health risks -- it goes against the very spirit of what it means to be a Muslim.

Cleanliness is next to godliness, as the old adage goes -- which is why we all need to work together towards a cleaner, more hygienic Eid.