Islamabad, December 18:

After Eid greetings and marriages through the Internet, Pakistanis can now turn to websites for Qurbani - the sacrifice of animals on Eid-ul-Azha. Several websites have on offer traditional sacrificial animals - goat, sheep, camel and cow - and the billing is done through credit card. Customers can either donate the animal directly to the poor or take home the meat from the trust office, the Daily Times reported.

“The online booking is for people who do not have time to visit offices or markets,” said Shakeel Dehlawi, public relations director of the Karachi-based Alamgir Welfare Trust International.

“We started the service two years ago but few people were aware. Now we have a good response from Internet users.” Sahara, the life trust of singer Abrarul Haq, also sells animals online. US-based group Islamicity and Life for Relief and Development offer this service to Muslims around the world.

The Ulema have approved. “I see no problem in it, even if the payment is through credit cards,” said Mufti Sarfraz Naeemi, head of Jamia Naeemia.