The Muslim Congress (TMC) has frowned at media reports that Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) is planning to present a bill to the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) seeking to stop slaughtering of animals at homes and other unauthorised places in the state.

The proposed LASEPA bill when finally approved will prohibit all slaughtering at home and public places except only in designated abattoirs in Lagos state.

The Congress stated that Islamic organisations is not against the present innovative drive of LASEPA at ensuring environmental cleanliness, hygiene and decorum with regard to treatment of waste from slaughtered animals at residential locations, but opined that there is need for wider consultation with Islamic groups and other faith-based organisations before presenting the bill to the House. This, the group said will enrich the proposed bill and make it practically robust.

“The authorities of LASEPA should be informed that slaughtering from the perspective of Islamic jurisprudence is a mandated religious obligation and an act of worship; it is not just an ordinary hobby or an age-long practice.

Islam approves slaughtering of animals for naming ceremonies, marriages, Eidul Fitri, Eidul Adha festivals and other shari’ah-compliant ceremonies depending on individuals’ financial status. It is therefore necessary that LASEPA put a caveat in the bill giving exception to slaughtering for religious ceremonies with theological basis in order to forestall provocation of the religious communities in Lagos State.”

“The bill should make slaughtering of animals at abattoirs for religious ceremonies purely prescriptive rather than mandatory, while slaughtering for commercial purposes at designated abattoirs should not be compromised.”

“We therefore call on Governor Raji Fashola (SAN) to consult widely with all concerned stakeholders when formulating and before implementing government policies with serious implications on the lives of Lagosians, most especially religious matters.

Why should Muslims in Lagos be treated like outcasts, despite their numerical preponderance and positive monumental contributions to sustainable retention of ACN in government in the South-West? The politicians, advisers and technocrats at the corridors of power should learn from the Arab Spring and the fall of tyrants in different parts of the world. Gone are the days of politics of impunity, tyranny and dictatorship.”