Sacrifice in Islam does not just mean sacrificing animals, it is a symbol of love, sacrifice and dedication towards Allah.Image Credit source: PTI
The controversy regarding sacrifice in Maharashtra is not stopping. There was a tense situation in Ghatkopar West here on Wednesday regarding the goats brought for sacrifice. Earlier a controversy had come to light in Thane. Where a shed was built in a housing society for a goat tied for sacrifice. There was also a demonstration in the society regarding this where people arrived with pigs. Even before Bakrid, the controversy regarding sacrifice is deepening in the country, but there are some countries in the world where records are made regarding sacrifice. Bangladesh has the highest number of animal sacrifices in the world.
Sacrifice in Islam does not just mean sacrificing animals. Sacrifice is a symbol of love, sacrifice and dedication towards Allah. Its purpose is to create ego, selfishness and the desire to sacrifice the most precious thing for God in the human mind. The custom of sacrifice is very old in Islam, but there are many countries where records of it are made. Know which are the countries that have made records of sacrifice.
Countries making records of sacrifice
The highest sacrifice in the world is made in Bangladesh. Statistics of Bangladesh’s Animal Department show that more than 1 crore animals were sacrificed here on the occasion of Bakrid in the year 2024. This figure was only for 72 hours. This included 47.7 lakh cows, 1.13 lakh buffaloes, 50.6 lakh goats and 4.7 lakh sheep.
Maximum sacrifices are made in Bangladesh.
Pakistan at number two
Pakistan is at second place in terms of sacrifices on Bakrid. 68 lakh sacrifices were made here in the year 2024. According to the Pakistan Tanners Association, the sacrifices made here included 29 lakh cows, 33 lakh goats, 3,85,000 sheep, 98,700 camels and 1,65,000 buffaloes. Not only this, after Pakistan there are countries like Turkey, Indonesia, India, Saudi Arabia, which are ahead in terms of making sacrifices.
in Pakistan 68 lakh sacrifices were made in the year 2024.
Sacrifice is supporting people’s livelihood
Although the religious importance of sacrifice is very deep in Islam, this process also becomes a means of livelihood for crores of people. Sacrifice gives impetus to leather industries. Sale of animals gives impetus to the country’s economy to some extent.
For example, sale of animals is the backbone of the rural agricultural economy in Pakistan. Demand in slaughterhouses, animal feed supplies, rural logistics and urban veterinary markets drives huge economic activity, generating income for small farmers.
Turkey is also among those countries where maximum sacrifices are made.
Turkey is one of the largest economies in the Middle East. Not only this, it is also known as a big market of sacrifice. Being one of the Qurbani markets, the scope of animal husbandry here is quite large and there are a large number of slaughter houses. These also give impetus to the country’s economy.
Why sacrifice?
Bakrid is celebrated to remember the sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim, the ancestor of the Prophet and Hazrat Mohammad. It is believed in Islam that to test Ibrahim’s devotion, Allah asked him to sacrifice his most precious thing. To fulfill that order, Ibrahim had decided to sacrifice his young son Ismail, but just as he was about to sacrifice his son, Allah replaced his son with a calf. In this way the tradition of sacrifice came into practice. Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid-ul-Azha and sacrifice animals on the same day.
FAQs on Eid al Adha
Question: When is Bakrid?
answer: May 28, 2026
Question: What is Bakra Eid?
answer: This is a name of Bakrid.
Question: Which country makes the most sacrifices on Bakrid?
answer: Bangladesh.
Question: Which animals can be sacrificed?
answer: Goat, sheep, ox, buffalo, ox and camel.
Also read: 15 names of Bakrid which 99 percent Indians do not know
