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[Hod]

Just got over the scurvy after that four-week farce. Now there�s yet another opportunity for Moroccans to have even less fun. It�s called Eid. Goes without saying that shops and bars close, but this time it�s horror on a scale you�ve never seen.

Imagine, if you will, Casablanca: A modern enough place with apartments and stuff. A few people even have balconies and roof areas to hang washing and chinwag. It could be any other boring city. But wait, there�s a huge great sheep tied to my neighbour�s balcony! Everyone�s got their own sheep this week. My whole street stinks like a sheep�s toilet which is what it�s become.

I thought rock bottom had come. I mean, this town is crap at the best of times. But just yesterday, I saw it. What on earth is wrong with these people? A red Peugeot 205, known as a petit taxi, speeding along with a family inside and a live sheep tied to its roof rack, clearly terrified.

So, what happens is this. They buy a sheep, make it part of the family for a week, then slit its throat before scoffing the lot. I�m no veggie so I can�t complain, but isn�t it an odd way to celebrate? When Moroccans win at football, do they pop out for a quick slaughter? It�s not that easy. Sheep are selected and ordered months in advance, so what happens if all doesn�t go to plan? �What? You failed your English test? Kill the sheep anyway.�

Anyway, I�ve been invited for mutton sandwiches on Sunday. I�m always up for traditional Moroccan faire. That sheep didn�t die in vain, no way dolly. He died to be served with soggy chips and 12 beers.

[Sekhmet]

I would totally agree with Hod on this one. Eid is possibly the most disturbing thing I've seen the whole time I've been in Egypt!!! The streets literally run with blood, and kids stand outside the butchers shops cheering each time a sheep gets its throat cut. On my way into work, I even nearly tripped over a sheep that was writhing on the ground, kicking its last in front of a horde of eager onlookers. And THEN, going back into my building, I kicked (by accident) a pair of goat lungs, which just that morning had belonged to a beautiful black and white goat, tied in the foyer of my appartment block.
Ok, I know it's all about their religion, but still!! Most of the butchers I saw yesterday weren't even following the Halal rules of slaughter!! It was just a blood-fest. Nasty...

[Tina78]

Hod even though you do not believe in certain Muslim practices, who are you to judge what they do. Eid is a very sacred holiday for Muslims since they are simply replicating the act that the Prophet Abraham had done when he slaughtered a sheep.

It may seem "odd" or "disturbing" to you but I know for a fact that people from other religions find that Christianism has some weird practices as well.

If everyone in the world were the same it would be a pretty boring place.

I hope you enjoy your "mouton" sandwiches...

[Hod]

[nolefan]

don't forget to turn on your sarcasm detector anytime you're reading something by hod...

[juststeven]

Nolefan,
Just love your understanding of the French language!
Hod,

[Sekhmet]

I'm not sure what it's like in Morrocco, but Muslims here seem to enjoy Eid purely for the blood. They don't follow the laws of sacrifice as laid down by the Quran (ie, the sheep should be killed in one clean stroke, no animal should have to watch the sacrifice of another, sacrificial animals should be respected, etc., etc.) Each of these rules was broken while I was watching - children hanging around the butcher shops, cheering every time a sheep stopped kicking, having the "sacrifices" lined up outside, that kind of thing.
I have no problem whatsoever with Islamic culture - if I did, I wouldn't be living here. But just as Christianity has its fair share of faults and hypocrasies, Eid is probably the worst example of Islamic ones I have seen.
Hod, was that what you were getting at??

[Hod]

[Tina78]

[ Quote from Hod: as you're in Canada and what you know about Morocco and Islam could be written on a postage stamp, reserve judgement till you get here. Next.
]

Well Hod, once again you are being very judgemental...I have actually been to Morocco and spent quite some time there. I will be going back to Casablanca in September to teach English. Obviously I will have a better understanding towards my students and their culture. My knowledge of Islam is quite extensive seeing that I am Muslim....hmmm, maybe the next time you should know the facts before you speak...

[Hod]

Cool, we'll have to meet up for beers then.

[Bunny]

Have to agree with Hod on this one. Eid is the most barbaric festival ever. I was unlucky enough to visit Morocco during Eid a few years ago and still have the revolting images in mind. I'll never forget a group of barbaric Moroccans pulling a sheep by a piece of rope with blood around its neck where the rope was cutting into its skin and blood on its hooves where it was being yanked along. I saw sheep on balconies, sheep being beaten, stoned, skewered alive, beheaded with the head given to kids to make a fire in the street. I have never returned to that hell hole since and will never go there in the future. I mean, they call themselves Muslims but don't follow their Koran at all. Hypocracy rules in Morocco.

[Bunny]

By the way Tina, you do sound like such an interesting person. I'll bet you are the life and soul of every party! Shame I wont have the err pleasure ..ahem...of ever meeting you.

[Sadken]

[grahamb]

So, Ramadan is a "four-week farce" and Eid is "barbaric". I'm sure you folks will be glad to see the back of Islamic countries. Judging by your abysmal spelling, the natives won't be sorry to see you go: Moroccan "faire" indeed. Don't know anyone who lives in an "appartment".
What are "hypocrasies"? What is "hypocracy"?
If it's a real blood fest you want, try that two-year Christian crusader extravaganza in Iraq.

[Hod]

Thanks Graeme

I love it when my old threds get bumped.