Latest news with #Tabaski
LeMonde
07-06-2025
- General
- LeMonde
In Senegal, the extra-large Ladoum sheep is the star of Tabaski
Just hours before the Eid al-Adha festival – called Tabaski in West Africa and celebrated on Saturday, June 7, by the vast majority of Senegalese, who are 90% Muslim – the streets were filled with vehicles carrying sheep strapped to their roofs. In the Soumbédioune neighborhood of Dakar, last-minute shoppers crowded the sand- and hay-strewn sidewalks, which doubled as makeshift pens, in search of the right sheep to sacrifice. "Over here, you can find Touabire and Peul-Peul sheep, which are the most popular because they are more affordable," explained a breeder from the Khoulam Kane sheep farm, pointing to the smaller animals. The average price: between 70,000 and 200,000 CFA francs (about €100 to €300), which is equivalent to a month's salary for many Senegalese. According to studies, the average monthly wage in the country ranges from 90,000 to 150,000 CFA francs. Among the hundreds of nonchalant animals housed in the shade of large white tents, several dozen stood out for their impressive size and unique appearance. "These are the Ladoums, the most noble breed," the breeder said.
France 24
06-06-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Warring parties urged to respect humanitarian law in Sudan as the crisis is worsening
In other news, the University of Zimbabwe has begun replacing its striking lecturers with adjunct staff who reportedly earn as little as three US dollars per hour. More than 100 lecturers and teaching staff have picketed Zimbabwe's main university to demand fair wages and improved working conditions. With no end in sight, exams have already been cancelled. Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating around the world! From Dakar to Dubai, Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Adha, also known as Tabaski in West Africa, one of the most sacred festivals in the Islamic calendar. However, in countries such as Sudan and Morocco, the joy of the holiday is overshadowed by crisis and uncertainty.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mali military withdraws from base after second deadly attack in days
Representative Image (AI-generated) The Malian military withdrew from a major base in the centre of the country Friday after it came under a second deadly attack in less than a week, according to multiple sources, as the country faces an uptick in jihadist assaults. At least 30 soldiers were killed at the Boulkessi army base in central Mali on Sunday in an attack claimed by the Al-Qaeda affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM). On Friday, a religious holiday in Mali, soldiers left the post after a new deadly assault, locals and a military source said, affirming there had been multiple deaths in a Thursday attack. "We are worried here in Boulkessi, very worried," a civil servant told AFP. "The soldiers have abandoned the Boulkessi camp. They left with all their belongings. The camp was attacked again yesterday," the person said. Mali marked the Muslim festival of Eid el-Adha, known locally as Tabaski, Friday. "Today after the holiday prayer, we noticed that the last Malian soldiers who were in the Boulkessi camp had left, they had abandoned the camp," a local elected official told AFP. Describing the departure as coming "at the request of the hierarchy", one security source told AFP the move was "strategic", contrary "to what Mali's enemies say". Another military source called it "purely tactical". While officials reported at least 30 dead in the first attack at Boulkessi Sunday, JNIM alleged it had killed more than 100 personnel and taken another 22 prisoner, on its Al-Zallaqa Foundation media platform. That statement was verified Saturday by SITE, a US organisation that follows radicalised groups. Attackers carried out an additional assault Monday on an army base and airport in the storied northern city of Timbuktu. Then on Thursday, insurgents attacked an army post in the village of Mahou in the southeastern Sikasso region, killing five. The army's general staff acknowledged the uptick in violence in a statement Thursday that said recent weeks had been marked by a "resurgence of cowardly and barbaric attacks against localities, peaceful populations, as well as military bases". It added that "these acts are being committed by a coalition of armed terrorist groups of all persuasions with internal and external support". Authorities have implemented or extended curfews in multiple locations across the country, notably the Timbuktu, Sikasso, Segou and Doila regions. Junta-ruled Mali has since 2012 faced attacks from groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group as well as separatist movements and criminal gangs.
Zawya
05-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Niger teens go online and door-to-door in 'Eco Eid' campaign to reduce deforestation
Every year the Tabaski event involves the mass grilling of sheep, which in the capital city Niamey alone typically requires nearly 50,000 tonnes of wood - or the felling of about 25,000 trees [1]. Falling this year right after World Environment Day on 5 June, preparations for the event have contributed to Niger's ongoing deforestation and desertification, with the country losing more than 100,000 hectares of arable land each year. The annual grilling also leads to major air pollution issues. A group of teenagers and young adults in Niger have recruited influencers, comedians and gone online as part of a national campaign to reduce the number of felled trees burned during the Tabaski celebration, also known as Eid al-Adha. Every year the Tabaski event involves the mass grilling of sheep, which in the capital city Niamey alone typically requires nearly 50,000 tonnes of wood - or the felling of about 25,000 trees [1]. Falling this year right after World Environment Day on 5 June, preparations for the event have contributed to Niger's ongoing deforestation and desertification, with the country losing more than 100,000 hectares of arable land each year. The annual grilling also leads to major air pollution issues. To combat this devastation, a group of young activists, supported by Save the Children, has launched the "Tabaski Ecolo" - or 'Eco Eid' - campaign to promote the use of alternative energy sources to grill the celebratory food. These include the use of mineral charcoal, as well as encouraging tree planting, throughout the holiday period. The campaign also includes awareness-raising activities of the impact of deforestation the benefits of green energy sources, and a competition for the best ecological photo. Jafar, 17, a climate change activist who is part of the Tabaski Ecolo campaign, said: ' Sometimes people tell me that climate change isn't a priority for them, or that it's nobody's business, that it's the business of the rich countries. That surprises me, because its effects are already being felt here - extreme heat, flooding and food insecurity. The climate is everyone's business. 'It is possible to celebrate our traditions while protecting our planet, reducing waste and taking care of our city. I like the idea of contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable world, even during key moments for us like Tabaski.' The "Tabaski Ecolo' campaign was launched in 2017 by a national association of young volunteers for environment before Save the Children invested in the campaigners and the programme to increase its scope. In 2024, nearly 3,700 people were reached directly with different messages on the impact of climate change and pollution, and about 1,000 mango, moringa and lemon tree seedlings were distributed to communities to combat desertification. This year, the campaign is expanding online, with the involvement of local influencers, comedians, journalists and musicians amplifying the sustainability messages. A 'caravan', led by child activists supported by Save the Children, is also travelling door-to-door in Niamey to talk to people about how to achieve an ecological Tabaski, and inviting them to plant a tree for each sheep sacrificed. Rahinatou, 18, who is actively involved in the "Tabaski Ecolo" campaign, said: 'During discussions with the people I met during the campaign, and even during the evaluation of the campaign, some of them told me that climate change doesn't affect them, so they don't worry about it, and others told me that 'it's God's will'. 'But I can see that people's behaviour is changing, and I can say that the campaign contributed to it. A lot of people are now making an effort to protect the environment. In my neighbourhood, most people grill with organic charcoal.' Niger is one of the countries most affected by climate change. It is the largest country in West Africa, with two-thirds of the landlocked nation covered in desert and losing a significant amount of arable land each year [2]. Agriculture provides a living for 80% of the Nigerien population and contributes to 40% of the country's GDP [3]. Save the Children's Country Director for Niger, Oumarou Anda, said: "Young people have a critical role to play in raising awareness about climate change, environmental issues and promoting sustainable practices. Even though they are not the cause of the problems, they are more vulnerable to the impact of the problems they know little or nothing about. With the 'Tabaski Ecolo' campaign, we hope to inspire a new generation of environmental leaders and promote a more sustainable future for Niger." Save the Children has been working in Niger since 2005 covering five regions - Maradi, Zinder, Diffa, Tillaberi, and urban Niamey - and providing interventions on child protection, health, nutrition, food security and livelihoods, education, water, and sanitation. Our priority remains the delivery of quality services adapted to vulnerable people and children who need them the most. [1] [2] [3] World Bank Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Save the Children.
