Preschoolers In NJ Islamic School Learn To Slaughter Toy Sheep As Part Of 'Mock Hajj'

In a video posted on the Facebook page of ICOB Academy, a full time Islamic elementary school in Cliffwood Beach, NJ on June 10, 2024, children performed a "mock hajj." They simulated the rituals included in the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, including the sacrifice of a sheep. Young children can be seen simulating the sacrifice of a sheep, pretending to slaughter a sheep doll with a plastic knife. According to its website, ICOB Academy is associated with the Islamic Center of Old Bridge, NJ, and it caters to students from Pre-K 3 through grade 4.

Teacher: "Who is going to go now and sacrifice a sheep with Sister Asiya?"

Student: "Sacrifice a sheep!"

Teacher 1: "Hold on, Habibi. Yeah, hold it for him. Okay. Go ahead. [Slaughter] here. Say: 'In the name of Allah.' Go ahead. No, like this. Like this. Say: 'Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar!' Are we done?"

Teacher 2: "Almir… Almir…"

Teacher 1: "Enough. Enough. Okay. Get up. Allah be praised. We're done. That's the day of praying. Now, I have to be doing exactly what I'm gonna say. You are going to go to something called Tawaf Al-Ifadah. We are still making Hajj."