Astana Akimat Designates 5 Special Sites for Sacrificial Rituals During Kurban Bayram

Preparations for Kurban Ait, the great holiday of the Muslim community, which will take place in the capital from May 27 to 29, 2026, have been completed. According to the official statement of the Astana City Akimat, this year’s festive "Ait Namaz" (Eid prayer) will be performed on May 27 at 06:00 AM in all mosques of the capital.

To ensure public safety and compliance with sanitary regulations, 5 specialized sites have been designated within the city territory for conducting the sacrificial rituals. Slaughtering activities will be carried out according to the approved schedule daily from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM exclusively at the following addresses:

Baikonyr District (4 locations):

 "Shanghai" market — Alash highway, 34/6;

 "Barakat" market — A 369 street, 10;

 "Zhailau" market — intersection of Alash highway and Ts 313 street;

 "Shaushen" peasant farm — Alash highway, 136B.

Almaty District (1 location):

 "Et-Khan" meat workshop — Zheleznodorozhny residential area, Akzhar street, 20.

City authorities warn that slaughtering livestock outside the 5 approved sites is strictly prohibited. Additionally, disposing of animal waste in regular municipal solid waste containers is not allowed; it must be disposed of in accordance with established procedures. For veterinary safety purposes, sanitary doctors recommend purchasing livestock meat only from sellers who possess special certification.

As noted by representatives of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan, giving monetary funds during the Kurban Ait holiday cannot substitute for the obligation of animal sacrifice. According to Sharia laws, the following types of livestock are recognized as acceptable for sacrifice:

Sheep and goats (over 1 year old) — on behalf of one person;

Cattle (over 2 years old) and camels (over 5 years old) — allowed for up to seven people to sacrifice jointly.

It is a tradition to divide the sacrificial meat into three equal parts: leaving one part for the family, distributing the second part to relatives and neighbors, and giving the third part to low-income citizens. According to experts, this holiday significantly impacts the country's economy, particularly the agricultural market, contributing to a seasonal increase in demand and prices for live livestock on the eve of the holiday.