Muftiyat Announces Number of Certified Butchers in the Country

In 2026, Kurban Ait falls on May 27–29. Across the country, meat processing plants, slaughterhouses, and livestock slaughter areas are actively preparing for one of the main holidays in the Islamic calendar. On the eve of the holiday, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SAMK) published updated data on the number of certified specialists and reminded about the rules for performing the sacrifice.

According to the SAMK, as of today, 42 slaughterhouses and 431 butchers in Kazakhstan hold the "QMDB HALAL" certificate.

The "QMDB HALAL" certificate is issued by the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan and confirms that the slaughter is carried out in strict accordance with Islamic standards.

The SAMK took the opportunity to remind everyone involved of the mandatory conditions for halal slaughter:

1. The knife must be sharpened in advance — it cannot be sharpened in front of the animal to avoid causing unnecessary stress.

2. The animal is laid on its left side, with its head facing the Qibla (the direction toward Mecca).

3. The intention to perform the sacrifice is pronounced.

4. The formula "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar" is pronounced — without this, the slaughter is not considered halal.

5. The esophagus, trachea, and both jugular veins are cut in one swift, confident motion.

6. It is necessary to wait for the blood to drain completely and for the animal's death to occur before proceeding with further butchering.

Compliance with these conditions is mandatory - failure to comply with even one of them renders the meat unfit for consumption from the standpoint of Islamic norms.

Kurban Ait (Eid al-Adha) is one of the two major holidays in Islam, celebrated in memory of Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son at the command of the Almighty. On this day, Muslims who possess sufficient means are obligated to slaughter a sacrificial animal — a ram, goat, cow, or camel - and distribute the meat among family, neighbors, and the needy. In Kazakhstan, where the majority of the population practices Islam, Kurban Ait is an official public holiday and a non-working day.