Pre-order sacrificial animals on grocery apps as Qurbani service launched

animals for Eid Al Adha

This year, residents in the UAE can conveniently pre-order their sacrificial animals for Eid Al Adha through grocery delivery apps like Careem and Noon minutes, with prices ranging from Dh400 to Dh2,150. This innovative service allows customers to choose from various sizes of sheep and goats and have the meat delivered directly to their doorsteps.

Eid Al Adha, an important Islamic festival, commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah's command. Known as Udhiya or Qurbani, the meat from the sacrificed animal is typically shared among family, friends, and those in need. This year, for the first time, the convenience of ordering sacrificial animals through grocery apps has been introduced in the UAE, making it easier for residents to fulfill this religious obligation.

Noon minutes has reported that nearly one million residents have engaged with its dedicated Eid Al Adha section on the app. Hussein Heiba, commercial lead at Noon minutes, stated, "The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are pleased to see such strong demand for our offering." Orders can be placed up until two days before Eid Al Adha.

Careem has partnered with Dhabayeh Al Emarat to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality livestock, emphasizing the authenticity of observing the sacred tradition of Udhiya. Chase Lario, VP of Groceries at Careem, noted, "Many individuals often face challenges in finding suitable vendors to perform this important ritual, and we’re happy to simplify this process for our customers."

Both apps offer various options for customers to choose from, including the type of cut and the number of pieces. Additionally, customers can select the specific day for the sacrifice to take place within the three days of Eid, ensuring the meat is delivered on the same day. According to Lario, "To align with the Udhiya tradition, all sacrificial animals available on Careem are adults, aged above 6 months. We offer a range of goats and sheep, with a focus on locally sourced varieties such as Naimi and Najdi sheep, as well as locally raised goats."

The introduction of this service on grocery apps is designed to streamline an important Islamic tradition and provide a more convenient and hassle-free experience for residents. With Eid Al Adha falling on June 16 this year, residents will enjoy a paid holiday from Saturday, June 15, until Tuesday, June 18, allowing them ample time to celebrate and perform the ritual.

Noon minutes has partnered with local municipality-approved slaughterhouses to ensure that the process adheres to all relevant regulations and maintains the highest standards of hygiene and halal practices. Heiba emphasized, "This ensures that the process adheres to all relevant regulations and maintains the highest standards of hygiene and halal practices."

As the festival approaches, the convenience and ease of pre-ordering sacrificial animals through these platforms have been well received, simplifying the process and ensuring that residents can observe the tradition with minimal hassle.