Just a few meters from a banner that reads "Welcome to Agouza neighborhood" in Lebanon Square, Mohandessin, a young man in his twenties stands among scattered herds of sheep of different sizes while holding a large bundle of clover to feed his amimals.

Meanwhile, another man tries to keep the sheep away from the motorway by beating them with sticks.

The sight of the herd of sheep moving along the street startled residents of the peaceful district who are accustomed to scenes of fixed canvas for tsheep during Eid.

The moving herd scene was new to residents and a number of fights broke out. Residents objected to turning the square into a yard for sheep and obstructing traffic.

But, this did not prevent owners of the sheep from defending their 'right' to sell animals in the square.

"We are poor people and Eid is our sole season to sell sheep," says Mohamed Khalifa.

Khalifa, the owner of the sheep, explains why he chose to sell the sheep in Lebanon Square. 

"I wait for this season from year to year," he added. "A long time ago, I used to sell (sheep) in lower-class areas like Ain Shams and Zatoun, but I found out that clients of these areas were not rich and preferred to buy imported meat during Eid."

"That is why I thought of Mohandessin because I will be able to find richer customers," Khalifa said. "But their only drawback is that they receive their sheep on the first day of Eid immediately after prayers because they have no place to keep them and that is why I am standing in the square."

In an attempt to promote his sheep, Khalifa sells a kilo of lamb meat for LE2 cheaper than the price announced by the Agriculture and supply ministries. 

"I asked at the Ministry of Agriculture and Supply about the price of a kilo and I was told it is LE37," he said. "I found that selling each kil for LE2 cheaper to be a good chance to attract customers."

"I succeeded because money means a lot to customers," said Khalifa.

In order to avoid inspection campaigns that pass in the streets of the Agouza neighborhood, sheep seller Mamoun Ibrahim says he tries to hide in the narrow streets of low-class area of Meet Oqba, a few blocks away from Lebanon Square from the early hours of the day until the afternoon.

He comes out to promote his sheep in Lebanon Square after 5 pm after he has made sure that inspectors would not go after him.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm