(July 23, 2021/ COTABATO CITY). “When you give us beef, we can cook food that we rarely consume in a year, it helps with our meal for the day”, Rahma Talusob, 40, said upon receiving a meat pack on Eid’l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice).

Eid’l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) is one of the prestigious holidays in Islam. The festival is celebrated in honor of the great sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim at the cost of his son’s life in the name of obedience and faith to the commandment of Allah (s.w.t).

Qurban meat is produced out of the animals (goat, sheep or cow) slaughtered during this occasion.

In observance of this significant celebration in Islam, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) has been implementing the Qurban Program since 2014 with the support of donor partners from Turkey.

For the year 2021, hundreds of cattle are slaughtered sponsored by various organizations in Turkey such as Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH), Turkiye Dyanet Vakfi, WEFA, Ravza and Sadaqatasi, with the BDA Inc. as local partner who facilitated the implementation of the Qurban Program.

Rahma, further told that “We are poor so there is no special dining during this day because we cannot afford. Now that you gave us this meat pack, I can prepare food that we rarely have on our family table”.

She is from Brgy. Central Labas, Midsayap, North Cotabato with two children and whose husband works as a farmer.

Beef contains several essential nutrients including protein, iron, zinc, selenium, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, phosphorus, pantothenate, magnesium, and potassium, all good for one’s health.

An elderly widow from Brgy. Tariken, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao is also thankful for receiving Qurban meat saying that is helpful to suffice her meal for the day, mostly that she lives by herself alone.

Another mother beneficiary was emotional when asked about their daily meal in the family, implying a poor situation of food security in the community.

In Bangsamoro Region, it is a fact that food security remains a challenge, especially during the times of pandemic. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has crafted its roadmap food security in nutrition in the Bangsamoro as one concrete action in addressing this significant concern in the region.

BDA Inc. with its years of managing the Qurban Program shared significant notes stating that “Through the years of implementing Qurban Program, the agency is witnessed as to how meat packs help supplement a meal for the day of the family- recipients, who are mostly poor and do not have enough resources to prepare something special during this annual Muslim celebration”, Engr. Windel Diangcalan, BDA executive director stated.

Further, distribution of Qurban meat become relevant in sending the true message of Eid’l Adha, wherein communities appreciate being reach out by the program despite the distance saying “by coming to us for this meat, we feel more of the spirit of Eid’l Adha, we feel important”.

(July 23, 2021). Each year, Muslims around the world celebrate Eid’l Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), a religious practice that reminds the Islam believers of the great sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim in obedience and faith to the will of Allah subhanahuwataalah.

Animals like sheep or goat and cow are sacrificed in honor of this significant religious act. The meat from the animals are distributed to the poor families and communities. This good deed is encouraged among Muslims to foster empathy and mercy to people in need.

This year in Bangsamoro, hundreds of cattle are slaughtered sponsored by various organizations in Turkey such as Insani Yardim Vakfi (IHH), Turkiye Dyanet Vakfi, WEFA and Sadaqatasi, with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) as local partner who facilitated the implementation of the Qurban Program.

Meat packs are distributed in different communities within and outside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In Brgy. Tariken, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao, Member of the Parliament Ali O. Salik graced the Qurban meat distribution and expressed gratitude and prayer on this special occasion.

Hon. Salik thanked the Turkey Government for the love and support to Bangsamoro, by sponsoring Qurban Program in the region annually.

“Our well wishes for our brothers and sisters in Turkey. We also pray that the spirit of Eid’l Adha, may further strengthen our faith as we journey with our own Bangsamoro Government”, MP Salik told.

BDA Inc. with its years of managing the Qurban Program shared significant notes stating that “Through the years of implementing Qurban Program, BDA Inc. is witnessed as to how meat packs help supplement a meal for the day of the family- recipients, who are mostly poor and do not have enough resources to prepare something special during this annual Muslim celebration”, Engr. Windel Diangcalan, BDA executive director stated.

Further, distribution of Qurban meat become relevant in sending the true message of Eid’l Adha, wherein communities appreciate being reach out by the program despite the distance saying “by coming to us for this meat, we feel more of the spirit of Eid’l Adha, we feel important”.

Beneficiaries expressed thanks for the meat received on this significant Feast in Islam and how the meat provided helped families enjoy this day.

Rahma Talusob, 40, of Brgy. Central Labas, Midsayap, North Cotabato with two children and whose husband is a farmer is grateful for the meat obtained saying that she can cook something special for her family on Eid’l Adha.

“We are poor so there is no special dining during this day because we cannot afford. Now that you gave us this meat pack, I can prepare food that we rarely have on our family table”, Rahma stated.

There were thousands of meat packs that benefited thousands of families across the municipalities of Midsayap, Pigcawayan, Pikit and Aleosan in North Cotabato; Sultan Mastura, Sultan Kudarat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Upi, Parang, Mangudadatu and Mother Kabuntalan in Maguindanao;

Distribution period was from July 20 to 23, 2021 facilitated by BDA Quick Response Team, with volunteers and development catalysts, MILF Political Committee, Social Welfare Committee, Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), coordination with local government units and other key stakeholders at the community level.