In the wake of the Yulin dog meat festival, we’re approaching the annual bloodbath that is Eid al-Adha.
For days animals will be sacrificed, often in the streets, in the name of religion.
We probably don’t even need to tell you that our very own First Minister Sturgeon takes to social media, pledging her “warmest wishes” to those celebrating.
Saying that, what’s equally noteworthy is who doesn’t mention it. It’s intriguing how some campaigners, many of whom rightly publicise murderous events like the aforementioned Yulin, are so eerily silent about this organised cruelty.
When abuse is related to “culture” or religion, there’s a whiff of selective outrage.
In 2014 Egyptian writer Fatima Naoot put up a post on Facebook. She said of Eid al-Adha that;
“Millions of innocent creatures will be driven to the most horrible massacre committed by humans for ten-and-half centuries. A massacre which is repeated every year because of the nightmare of a righteous man about his good son.”
She was arrested, convicted and handed 3 years in jail for “contempt of religion”.
Fatima Naoot bravely stood her ground, and had her time reduced and suspended on appeal.
Scotland for Animals has consistently and openly condemned this mass slaughter. This year we condemn it again, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with the many Muslims who oppose it.
Animal groups and campaigners need to remember that wherever animals are brutalised we need to act.
To turn a blind eye to atrocities because you feel speaking out wouldn’t be “politically acceptable” is a betrayal of victims.
And Ms Naoot? Anybody who, on facing a 3 year stretch for defending animals, says “I’m not sad about the sentencing as I don’t care about going to jail.” should have all the solidarity we can provide.