Sunday, September 4, 2016

Signs of Trial: Diseases, Calamities

THE APHTHOUS FEVER 2016

Like you all know, since July and beginning of August 2016, Rodrigues Island witnessed a major foot/ hoof and mouth disease, that is, the Aphthous Fever among its cattle. 

This is a highly infectuous virus which has rapidly attacked the cattles of Rodrigues, making it necessary to cull them (about a thousand animals from Rodrigues and Mauritius were slaughtered). And as a part of our cattle also originate from Rodrigues, during an investigation, it was found that a cargo of cattle originating from Rodrigues already reached Mauritius, but it was put in Quarantine. From that day on, a psychosis among the Mauritian farmers and also the Mauritians in general has settled.

EID-UL-ADHA 

As the Eid-ul-Adha is coming in a few days, the Muslims have made heard their worry concerning the Qurbani/ Udhiya. While some Muslims have negotiated to import cattle from Africa, nevertheless, the fear of contamination and sickness due to the virus is worrying the Muslims and the Mauritians in general. Many are taking precautionary measures and not participating in Qurbani this year. 


As for the population of Mauritius in general, they are avoiding consumption of beef and a demand for chicken and fish is on the increase.

Moreover, the authorities in Mauritius and Rodrigues have embarked on a vaccination campaign for the foot-and-mouth disease on all cattles and it is expected to take a maximum of three years before everything settle down to normal.


This is also a sign for all the Muslims in Mauritius, Rodrigues and the world to reflect on this as, recall what happened to our Muslim brothers and sisters who went last year for the pilgrimage (Hajj) and many died there, including Mauritian Muslims. And this time during the days preceding the Eid-ul-Adha another such problem occurred. 

Now, only Allah knows what shall happen further during this forthcoming Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha. I would advice all Muslims around the world to make a great Sadqua for all our brothers and sisters who have gone for the pilgrimage so that Allah may protect them from all kinds of afflictions. Insha-Allah. May they go for the Hajj and return back home safe and sound and with the blessings of Allah. Ameen. I humbly pray that Allah enables the Muslims around the world to ponder over these occurences which are indeed signs for the people. Ameen.

---Extracts from the Friday Sermon of  02 September 2016 ~(29 Dhul Qaddah 1437 AH) delivered by Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Saheb (atba) of Mauritius.