IPB University Mobilizes 654 Students and 43 Lecturers to Help Check Sacrifice Animal Health

The intention and enthusiasm of Indonesian Muslims in qurban is extraordinary. In 2018, more than 1.5 million animals were sacrificed and it is predicted that there will be an increase in the number in 2019. The procession of slaughtering up to the distribution of qurban animal meat is bound to the requirements of the Shari'a on the type, age and condition and health of the animal, the principles of animal welfare, halal slaughtering procedures, and environmental sanitation and hygiene aspects.

Meanwhile in most slaughter locations, this stage of work is carried out by lay people and not trained, so fulfilling these requirements is not easy. This can be a problem, because good intentions but not accompanied by good knowledge and understanding as mentioned above, are feared to cause things that will reduce the value of the qurban worship.

IPB University through the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH) is very concerned about this issue. In collaboration with agencies or institutions related to animal husbandry and animal health, this year IPB University has always fielded animal health examiners from FKH to assist government officials in conducting health checks on sacrificial animals and meat.
 
The Chancellor of IPB University, Dr. Arif Satria today (8/8) released 654 students and 43 lecturers of FKH IPB University as animal health examiners and sacrificial meat, at the Jannes Humuntal Hutasoit Auditorium of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry (Fapet) of Dramaga Campus, Bogor.

The students and lecturers on duty will be deployed to several locations including DKI Jakarta Province (Central Jakarta, North Jakarta, South Jakarta, West Jakarta, East Jakarta and the Thousand Islands) and Bogor Regency, Bogor City, Depok, Tangerang.

In his remarks Dr. Arif said that this activity was a very noble activity carried out by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, IPB University for examining animal health and qurban meat before the Eid al-Adha feast day. Through qurban meat and health inspection activities, IPB University in particular FKH has provided services to the community especially in ensuring the safety of sacrificial meat and providing education to the public about the importance of meat safety and consumer health.

"In addition, the academic community of FKH IPB University (especially students) also get the opportunity to apply their knowledge and knowledge in the field. Through this opportunity let me give a message to FKH students. Make this activity an opportunity to benefit others. So the knowledge possessed can be felt directly by the community. Professionalism in carrying out this task is important to help the public in examining animal health and qurban meat and work must be a calling and always happy and loving, so that what is done will bear maximum results, "said the Rector of IPB University.

Meanwhile, according to the Dean of FKH, Prof. Prof. Srihadi Agungpriyono, some of the mistakes that are still commonly found in the community include sacrificial animals being treated harshly, stressing animals by sharpening knives near animals, slaughtering with sharp knives, slaughtering at the top of the animal's Adam's apple. Some have even separated their heads from their bodies or skinned animals that have not yet died completely, so the ulama stated that their meat status was unclean. In terms of cleanliness and health of animals and sacrificial meat, slaughtered animals can occur, because there is no prior examination, it turns out that they suffer from illness which then can be transmitted to humans through distributed meat, for example in cases of anthrax.

Not only conducting medical examinations, in this collaboration IPB University has also held a number of necessary training related to the introduction and selection of qurban animals according to the Shari'a, animal welfare principles, correct, legal and halal slaughtering procedures, as well as the handling of carcasses and sacrificial meat. good and right to the mosque management and the organizing committee of the slaughter of sacrificial animals in several locations in these areas.

Through this annual routine activity, IPB University hopes to contribute and disseminate the knowledge it has to help the public carry out qurban worship properly. Namely sacrificing with animals according to the Shari'a, carrying out halal slaughter and distributing meat that is safe, healthy, whole and halal.

"So that the benefits and blessings obtained through this noble sacrifice can be optimized. Happy Eid Al-Adha 1440H, taqobalallahu minna wa minkum, "he said. (** / Zul)