Hacène Menouar, President of El Amane Association: 'We Must Leverage Eid to Promote Leather Manufacturing'

In Algeria, the occasion of Eid al-Adha is not just a religious observance but also a moment ripe with economic potential, a point that Hacène Menouar, president of the El Amane association, passionately advocates for. As reported by El Watan, Menouar stresses the missed opportunity in the annual sacrifice of millions of sheep. Instead of letting valuable sheepskins go to waste, he argues, this event should be a catalyst for reviving Algeria's once-thriving leather manufacturing sector. The sheer volume of skins—estimated at 4 million annually—represents a significant economic resource, potentially worth tens of millions of dollars, that is currently being squandered.

“

We were a country of leather manufacturing, a field and a profession that we tend to lose. Whereas at every Eid, we sacrifice a minimum of 4 million sheep. So, it's 4 million skins.

Menouar's perspective is rooted in a desire to see Algeria harness its own resources for national development. He points out that the value of these skins, if properly collected and processed, could fund substantial public projects, such as housing or hospitals. This is not merely about economic gain; it's about responsible resource management and fostering national self-sufficiency. The idea that this potential wealth is being discarded while the country could benefit immensely from it is a critique that resonates deeply within a national context focused on economic diversification and job creation.

“

If we benefit from half of the skins, we will still waste 15 million dollars. That's enormous!

Furthermore, Menouar proposes a practical, community-driven solution. He suggests that charitable organizations, already active during Eid for collecting donations, could play a crucial role in collecting and selling these skins. The profits generated could then be channeled towards supporting the less fortunate, thereby combining religious observance with social welfare and economic activity. This approach not only maximizes the benefit of the Eid sacrifice but also aligns with the Islamic principle of charity and community support. El Watan, in highlighting Menouar's views, underscores a local perspective that seeks innovative ways to link cultural practices with economic upliftment, urging public authorities to facilitate this process by establishing collection points.

“

We can achieve several thousand housing units or one to two hospitals with this sum.

The call for public authorities to set up temporary collection points is a direct appeal for governmental support in realizing this vision. It reflects a common sentiment in Algeria, where public-private partnerships and governmental initiatives are often seen as essential for large-scale economic projects. Menouar’s interview is a powerful reminder that even traditional practices can be re-imagined to serve modern economic and social goals, a perspective that El Watan is proud to champion.

“

We must take advantage of this event to promote the leather manufacturing economy and for the export of skins to countries that will need them.