Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Aal-ash-Shaykh made the following announcement on Monday 5 March 2001:
It is permissible for Muslims living in Europe not to sacrifice animals during this ‘Eed al-Adhaa festival because of the foot-and-mouth disease. If Muslims in Europe find themselves in a situation where they are prevented from sacrificing a beast after what has been said about the state of the animal, they must abide by the rules. The sacrifice of an animal is not an obligation for Muslims but it is a Sunnah. Those who have the means to sacrifice an animal can do it. For those who do not, it is not obligatory.
