IT is very disturbing to see people feeding raw meat to the birds as Sadqa.

A few days back a TV channel showed a celebrity throwing plates full of raw meat to birds from her flat’s window. The reporter at the scene was unnerved when she saw a huge number of kites swooping and diving to catch the meat and hovering around the window. The sight was not pleasant.

On many occasions I have witnessed these birds swooping on meat left on the roadside for them. Driving on roads in busy neighbourhoods has become difficult owing to this practice.

The birds have become emboldened owing to contact with humans, and I dread that a day may come when they will start attacking people, particularly children in their quest for food.

The social media should create awareness about this menace. There are many other ways to give Sadqa. They should be encouraged.

Fehmi

Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2019