JUNE 21, 2024/ Bangsamoro Region. This blessed day has come again, where ‘takbeer al-mursal’ is heard around Muslim communities worldwide, where everyone wear their finest clothes and pray together in an open field or the masjid, where you smell and see bulk of animals such as cattle, goats, sheeps or lambs being transported, which meat will be shared among neighbors, families, relatives and friends.
It is the day called “Eid’l Adha” (Feast of Sacrifice), an annual religious holiday in Islam celebrated worldwide. It brings the story of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.) who was willing to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience and faith to Allah subhanahu wata’ala. It teaches and reminds the mankind about sacrifice where one able individual or family would will to share what is dear to them, for other people.
In Bangsamoro Region, in the Mindanao Island of the Philippines, it is a common practice for many urban families to go to their home provinces for a quick break from the city, pray together, visit and reunite with relatives, live with nature for a moment, savour and share various local dishes, and among others.
Qurban Program
On Eid’l Adha, millions of animals are sacrificed which meat are distributed to families, relatives, friends, neighbors and poor communities in spirit of generosity and faith.
Each year, individuals, families, and various organizations and foundations who can afford for animals to sacrifice perform Qurban. In Bangsamoro Region, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.), a non- government organization working to help disadvantaged communities has been implementing Qurban Program (sacrifice and distribution of meat on Eid) since 2014.
This program is supported by donor foundations from Turkey. For 2024, the Qurban Program is sponsored by Turkiye Dyanet Vakfi and Weltweiter Einsatz Für Arme (WEFA).
Distribution of meat benefited thousands of families in Bangsamoro communities from June 16- 18, 2024.
There were also hundreds of families who received zakat/ zekat (financial assistance) on June 19, 2024.
Finding the right one cattle
Cattle is a common type of animal permissible for sacrifice during Eid’l Adha along with sheeps, goats or lambs.
Based on the teachings, animals for slaughter for this religious occasion must meet the standards such as age, weight, health conditions, others.
For the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.), operating in Bangsamoro Region, who has been implementing Qurban Program since 2014, procurement of cows requires meticulous consideration, to follow the rulings. Donor partners check each cattle based on what is prescribed.
“There are significant considerations since cows here in our country is small in size compare to those cattle from the other country”, BDA reports.
Qurban beneficiaries
Significant part of the animal’s meat sacrificed shall be distributed to poor families. In Bangsamoro Region, beneficiaries are usually the operators of pedicab, bangkilo (local boat), farmers and fisher folks, families in rural communities, others.
1 kilogram of beef costs P380.00 and a pedicab driver earns P200-300.00 daily, so, it is definitely hard for a family with this income to procure a meat. Indeed, provision of free meat is beneficial for these families who can only consume meat during Eid or relevant occasions. This generosity brings joy and nutrition to less privileged families, while it carries the message of compassion, sacrifice and faith.
Eid’l Adha in Bangsamoro
In an article published at BARMM’s official website, Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim stated: “As we commemorate this day, let us emulate the devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S.), especially in times when fate is not on our side”.
“It is through the sacrifices and obedience of the Bangsamoro people that we have progressed in our struggle for justice and equality,” the Chief Minister added.
(BDA Communication, 2024)
