Eid Al-Adha 2025: The Great Escape—Terrified Animals Make a Desperate Dash to Escape Their Fate
As the annual festival of Eid Al-Adha unfolds, viral footage of animals desperately fleeing their fate has sparked renewed debate about the ethical implications of traditional sacrifices. This year, across various regions, cows, sheep, and goats have been seen breaking free, causing traffic jams and public safety incidents, but more importantly, serving as a stark visual reminder of their will to survive.
While for many, the practice holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, growing awareness of animal sentience and rights has led to a push for compassionate alternatives, with efforts like the Vegan Islam Initiative advocating ethical approaches rooted in Islamic teachings.
Every year, millions of animals are slaughtered during Eid Al-Adha as part of religious traditions. While for many, the practice holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, the growing awareness of animal sentience and rights raises pressing moral concerns.
Viral videos show frightened cattle dashing through city streets, dodging cars and pedestrians, with authorities scrambling to recapture them. In Egypt, a terrified ram was seen weaving through congested traffic, narrowly avoiding collisions. In Turkey, over 14,000 people were reportedly injured while attempting to slaughter animals.
Interestingly, Islamic scholars have pointed out that the Qurbani (Udhiyah) sacrifice is not an obligation but rather a Sunnah Muakkadah—an emphatically recommended action rather than a strict requirement. Even the first two rightly guided caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, reportedly refrained from performing Udhiyah, disliking that they might be followed in this tradition. This historical perspective challenges the notion that sacrifice is an absolute religious duty, opening the door for more compassionate alternatives.
One of the most significant initiatives promoting ethical alternatives to animal sacrifice during Eid Al-Adha is the Vegan Islam Initiative, a project spearheaded by the Middle East Vegan Society. Led by activist Fawziya Jaffan, alongside a dedicated team of Muslim animal rights advocates from the Middle East, the initiative examines Islam’s connection to veganism and the ethical treatment of animals. By analyzing religious texts and historical teachings, it challenges traditional views on sacrifice and offers a thought-provoking perspective on how faith and compassion can coexist harmoniously.
For those interested in Islamic perspectives on veganism, the initiative provides a comprehensive guide covering key topics such as Halal principles, dietary choices, and animal-derived products. Emphasizing the Islamic principle of harm avoidance, it underscores the responsibility of Muslims to reduce suffering and safeguard the environment. Through a deep dive into Quranic verses and prophetic traditions, it highlights the importance of kindness toward animals. Additionally, the guide addresses common misconceptions about plant-based living and offers practical resources for those looking to align their ethical choices with their faith. To explore further, visit Vegan Islam.
In recent years, the shift toward plant-based alternatives and compassionate celebrations of Eid has gained significant momentum. Many animal rights organizations and vegan communities have encouraged individuals to embrace the true essence of generosity and sacrifice through charitable donations, plant-based feasts, and symbolic acts of kindness—rather than taking the lives of innocent beings.
The Great Escape of Eid Al-Adha 2025 serves as a stark reminder of the fear, distress, and survival instincts exhibited by animals subjected to slaughter. Their frantic attempts to flee reflect an undeniable truth: they cherish their lives just as humans do. This moment presents an opportunity for deep reflection—a chance for societies to reexamine long-standing traditions, question whether they should take precedence over empathy, and explore how compassion can evolve without compromising cultural and spiritual values