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.