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The Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Zuha, or the sacrifice season, is in the air, permeating the alleys, streets and neighborhood corners throughout Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world. Pedestrians and regular vendors in the crowded capital Jakarta are feeling a bit claustrophobic, as they have to share space with the sacrificial animals. Eid-ul-Zuha is a festival of animal sacrifice - inspired by the story of Prophet Abraham - and vendors are herding animals by the thousands into urban centres. During Eid-ul-Zuha, Muslims commemorate Abraham's trials by slaughtering animals such as a sheep, cows or goats. For a few weeks before the big day, which falls on Dec 31 this year for Indonesian Muslims, most people can tell it is time of sacrifice by just simply breathing. Nearly everywhere there is a particularly strong aroma in the air emitted by live goats and cows on display. "I have been selling animals for Eid-ul-Zuha for 15 years now, it is a kind of an annual journey for my wife and me," said Warto, 50, who like many Indonesian only use a single name. "Every year I come all the way from central Java to try our luck selling these animals for the believers in Jakarta," he told DPA on a crowded street. Warto, his wife and 15 of his employees journeyed from Wonogiri, about 500 km southeast of Jakarta, along with his 140 goats and 20 cows that he put on display on a main street of south Jakarta area. "By doing this, we also provide jobs for those who are jobless," Warto said. "You may think it's funny, but without us coming all the way from central Java, faithful Muslims in Jakarta will find it difficult to find animals for Eid-ul-Zuha," Yatno, 36, another animal seller on the Jakarta street told DPA. Kartono, 55, a regular buyer of the animals said that every year he goes to the streets to find good quality sacrificial animals. "These sellers provide us good quality animals, and luckily, they are close by too," she said. Kartono and many other believers avoid going to the main slaughterhouse in downtown Jakarta to get their animals. "Too far away from our neighborhood," she said. Warto, Yatno and many other sellers provide free slaughtering service for regular buyers, and they get to keep the cow's hide that is worth about $23. The meat from the sacrifice of Eid-ul-Zuha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. Many social organisations and political parties have sent sacrifice meat to disaster areas due to the continued natural calamities that have hit Indonesia in recent years. Animal sellers also bear witnesses to the development and changes in the capital city. "I have noticed that it is getting harder to find good locations for the animals, since many new buildings and houses have now emerged in Jakarta," Warto said. "Sure some people have complained to us regarding this 'aroma' before, but I am sure they can tolerate it for once a year," Warto smiled.
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