The term Qurbani refers to the animal sacrifice performed by Muslims during the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha. Qurbani, an Islamic practice, involves the ritual slaughter of an animal during Eid al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God and serves as an act of worship and charity. Muslims who can afford it are encouraged to perform Qurbani, distributing the meat to the poor and needy, as well as to family and friends.
As previously discussed, the Educational Charitable and Humanitarian Organization (ECHO) actively conducts a Qurbani program as a significant part of its annual humanitarian and food distribution efforts in Bangladesh.
Key aspects of ECHO’s Qurbani program include:
- Religious Significance: It aligns with the Islamic tradition of Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail (Isaac), symbolizing devotion and obedience to Allah.
- Purpose of Distribution: The primary objective is to distribute fresh meat to underprivileged and vulnerable families, who often have limited access to meat otherwise. This helps them celebrate Eid al-Adha with dignity and joy.
- Implementation:
- Animals (cows, goats, sheep) are procured and sacrificed in accordance with strict Islamic and hygiene standards.
- The meat is then processed and distributed to identified beneficiary families in various regions of Bangladesh.
- Scale of the Program (as per 2025 example): The Qurbani program in 2025 demonstrated a significant reach, with a total of 8 cows and 17 goats sacrificed across diverse locations. These included Pabna (Sathia), Cumilla (Comilla), Khulna (Orphanage, Gabura), Nilphamari, Thakurgaon, Rajibpur (Sirajganj, Panchagarh), Manirampur (Jessore), Chalupara (Kushtia), Srishti Seba Foundation (Jessore), Hatia, Rohingya communities, Kurigram, Sylhet, and Gazipur (Naomuslim).
ECHO’s Kurbani program is a tangible expression of its commitment to alleviating hunger and promoting social welfare, ensuring that the blessings of Eid reach those who are most in need.