Eid Al Adha 2025: Viral escapes by sacrificial animals cause traffic jams and public safety incidents

During Eid Al Adha, scenes of worship and tradition unfold across the Arab and Islamic world , but increasingly, so do scenes of chaos. As families attempt to carry out the sacred act of animal sacrifice, viral videos from cities like Cairo, Istanbul, and beyond have shown a different side of the holiday: calves charging through busy roads, goats leaping over market stalls, and sheep bolting down alleys with panicked owners in pursuit.As reported by Gulf News, these incidents , both comedic and alarming , have become a recurring and highly visible feature of the Eid season in urban centers, raising deeper questions around animal welfare, safety, and public conduct during religious rituals.

Across social media platforms, particularly during Eid, feeds have been flooded with clips capturing the sudden escapes of sacrificial animals , usually seconds before they’re due to be slaughtered.

In one widely shared video from Egypt, a terrified ram was seen darting through congested traffic, weaving swiftly between cars and motorcycles as pedestrians jumped out of its way.

Other viral clips showed animals crashing into storefronts, toppling goods, and in some cases, injuring bystanders as untrained handlers lost control. One sheep reportedly jumped a vegetable stall before disappearing into a residential alley, with children and butchers giving chase.

While many viewers reacted with humor, resharing the clips alongside jokes and emojis, others were uneasy about what these videos really represented.“Behind the funny videos are real people, some of whom saved for months to afford the sacrifice,” said Dr. Walid Hindi, a psychological health consultant based in Cairo. “And behind the fleeing animal is often a child frightened, a parent panicked, or a motorist in danger.”

Fear, not rebellion

Veterinary experts say the problem isn’t disobedience, but fear. Animals are overwhelmed during Eid, especially in densely packed city areas where sensory overload is common, crowds, blood, loud noises, and heat create a high-stress environment.“When sheep smell blood, they instinctively flee. It’s fear, not disobedience,” said one veterinary expert, highlighting that many animals are handled by untrained individuals with little understanding of how to manage stress responses.The scenes might look amusing to some, but they stem from deep-rooted challenges around urban sacrifice practices, improper animal handling, and growing pressure on families trying to uphold religious traditions in tight spaces with minimal resources.

Real injuries, real risk

The situation took a more serious turn in Turkey, where local media reported that over 14,000 people were injured during the Eid Al Adha holiday while attempting to slaughter animals without professional help.

According to the country’s health minister, most of these injuries were preventable.He urged citizens to seek out trained butchers and designated slaughterhouses, warning that lack of expertise not only endangers people but also increases the suffering of the animals.Elsewhere across the Arab world, similar but smaller-scale incidents have caused traffic jams, property damage, and minor injuries, underscoring the need for safer, more organized sacrificial practices in urban areas.

A call for respect and responsibility

Beyond safety, religious scholars have expressed concern about how these incidents , and especially the viral videos , frame the ritual of sacrifice. Some believe the public sharing of these chaotic moments risks reducing a solemn act of worship into viral entertainment.“The act of sacrifice is a profound form of worship,” said Dr. Hisham Rabi’, a scholar at Egypt’s Dar Al Ifta.“It deserves solemnity , not spectacle or amusement.”His remarks point to a broader appeal for dignity, compassion, and respect in how the sacrifice is conducted, and perceived. Eid Al Adha is, at its heart, a spiritual practice rooted in devotion and empathy, not spectacle.