As Eid ul Adha 2026 approaches, Pakistani actress Sabeena Farooq has reportedly taken to social media to speak out against the widespread mistreatment of sacrificial animals, warning that cruelty toward these animals goes against the very spirit of Qurbani.
Farooq, who has previously been vocal about social issues, urged buyers and sellers to treat their animals with kindness and dignity. Her message resonated widely, as animal cruelty during the Eid season has become a growing concern across Pakistan.
The reality on the ground is alarming. According to a report in Dawn, millions of sacrificial animals continue to endure fear, stress, and trauma during transport and slaughter. Animals are often crammed into overcrowded trucks, wagons, and rickshaws with little access to food, water, or ventilation, suffering broken limbs, dehydration, and heat exhaustion during long-distance transport in extreme temperatures.
An estimated 7.5 million animals are expected to be sacrificed nationwide this Eid, yet Pakistan’s main animal welfare law, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1890, remains outdated with weak penalties and limited enforcement.
Islamically, the rules are clear. A sacrificial animal must be free from obvious illness, lameness, or extreme thinness, meaning a mistreated, injured, or starved animal may not even qualify for valid Qurbani.
Islamic teachings explicitly require kindness and compassion toward animals, including those intended for sacrifice. Farooq’s message serves as a timely reminder that Qurbani is an act of worship, and worship demands mercy, not cruelty.
