In a display that blends animal husbandry with pointed political messaging, worshippers in Bangladesh have turned two buffaloes into viral stars ahead of Eid al-Adha — by naming them after Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu before their ritual sacrifice.

A rare albino buffalo weighing around 1,500lbs has drawn crowds from across Bangladesh to a farm near Dhaka. Its flowing golden hair prompted locals to nickname it “Donald Trump.” Another buffalo on the same property earned the name “Benjamin Netanyahu” for its supposed resemblance to the Israeli prime minister.

The owner explained the choice plainly. Zia Uddin Mridha, 38, told reporters his younger brother jokingly named the Trump buffalo “after seeing the hair on its head.” He added: “It is very calm in nature. Albino buffaloes are generally peaceful and do not become aggressive unless provoked.”

VIDEO: People in Bangladesh are flocking to snap photographs with an unlikely social media star — an albino buffalo with flowing blond hair nicknamed "Donald Trump" due to be sacrificed within days. Owner Zia Uddin Mridha says his brother named the 700 kilogramme (1,500 pound)…pic.twitter.com/yWyGWw6xJO

Visitors have flocked to the site throughout May, treating the animals like celebrity attractions. One remarked: “Truly, the features are similar between the buffalo and President Donald Trump.”

The buzz even included grooming touches to heighten the likeness, with reports of the animal’s hair being combed to mimic Trump’s distinctive style.

Yet the fame carries an expiration date. Both buffalos are slated for slaughter as part of Eid al-Adha, the Islamic “Festival of Sacrifice,” during which millions of livestock face ritual killing across Bangladesh. An estimated 12 million animals will be sacrificed nationwide this year.

Bangladesh’s rare ‘Donald Trump’ buffalo becomes Eid sensationhttps://t.co/pxarMt2VKfhttps://t.co/pxarMt2VKf

Mr Mridha acknowledged the attachment but framed it within religious duty. He said he was “going to miss Donald Trump”, but added: “That is the core spirit of Eid al-Adha – making a sacrifice”.

The Netanyahu-named buffalo received a less flattering character assessment from the farm manager, who insisted it bears “resemblance” to the Israeli leader and noted: “Netanyahu is very naughty and has a devious intelligence.”

Source: modernity