Authorities say all set for trouble-free Eid holiday

AMMAN — Authorities on Wednesday have announced preparations and emergency plans for the Eid Al Adha holiday to ensure no disruptions in the provision of services to the public.

The Ministry of Health prepared an action plan for the five-day holiday, which started Wednesday, to guarantee that medical services at health centres, emergency rooms and other facilities are provided as usual, its spokesperson Hatem Azruie announced earlier in the week.

He said the ministry will intensify its health monitoring campaigns, in light of the increasing demand on food during the holiday, calling on food outlets to comply with public health and safety standards.

The ministry also advised parents to prevent children from playing with firecrackers during the Eid holiday to avoid fireworks-related injuries.

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply announced a set of measures to be implemented during the holiday that includes intensified market control efforts, with focus on fresh meat and livestock sales.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Yanal Barmawi, said the inspection campaigns will also cover bakeries, confectionaries and outlets selling gifts, in addition to the various sales and promotion offers, which he said have become common during such holidays.

The Ministry of Social Development said it would combat vagrancy during the holiday in coordination with the Public Security Department (PSD) by increasing the number of inspection teams.

The Labour Ministry said it has already intensified its inspection campaigns on restaurants, supermarkets, garment stores and confectionaries that employ illegal workers.

Around 650,000 sheep, both local and imported, were expected to be available on the local market for sacrifices, according to the Agriculture Ministry. 

According to Islamic teachings, Muslims can sacrifice sheep, cattle and camels during the four days of the Eid.

The Greater Amman Municipality said it has designated 14 locations in the capital for slaughtering. Places include Basman, Shafa Badran, Khreibet Al Souq, Sweileh, Bader, Nazzal, Muqabalin, Nasser, Marj Al Hamam, Ras Al Ain, Qweismeh and Marka in addition to official slaughterhouses in Madonah and Ain Ghazal in eastern Amman.

The PSD has prepared a comprehensive security plan to be implemented during the holiday, focusing on security, traffic and environmental aspects to ensure the safety of the public.

The PSD also called on citizens and residents to take necessary procedures to secure their houses and shops using proper equipment, and to keep precious belongings in safe places.

The department will also deploy traffic patrols within areas of traffic congestion, and remain vigilant over the sale of firecrackers and fireworks.

The Civil Defence Department called on motorists to be cautious while driving on highways and inter-governorate roads during the holy occasion in order to avoid accidents.

The department also called on parents to watch over their children and not to allow them buy toys that are not suitable for their age.

Eid Al Adha, or the feast of sacrifice, marks the end of the pilgrimage season to Mecca and falls on the 10th of the lunar month of Dhul Hijja, or the month of pilgrimage.

The feast of the sacrifice marks the end of the Hajj season, when Muslims of sufficient means are required to sacrifice livestock in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail to God.