For many of us, our parents are our world. Throughout our lives, they look after, shelter and love us unconditionally even after we leave the nest. Yet, around the world, natural disasters, war and ongoing conflict leave thousands of young children as orphans.
No matter how old we are, we can’t imagine what it’ll be like to live without our parents. But, as a vulnerable child in Gaza, Palestine, Soad was only 13 years old when her father passed away in 2011.
The death of a father impacts the wellbeing of Soad and her family greatly
It was extremely painful and hard on Soad to lose her father. Her father was her hero. He was a compassionate and generous man, who inspired her and encouraged her to follow her dreams. His support and guidance helped her deal with the negative attitudes of society towards her disability and provided for her needs. But, after his death, Soad struggled to get the accommodations she needed for her disability.
Currently, Soad lives with her sick mother and two sisters. Together, they, like many other families of orphaned children, face the harsh realities of life and a worsening financial situation. With no breadwinner in the household, Soad’s family struggles to get by without any external support.
Islamic Relief is helping families of orphans like Soad get back on their feet
Around the world, Islamic Relief Australia is providing direct support to orphans in need through our Orphan Sponsorship Program. Funded by the kindness and generosity of our global community, through the program, Islamic Relief can thankfully provide for more families like Soad’s and help grant orphans like her and her two sisters incredible opportunities, including in education.
Photo: Through Islamic Relief’s support, orphans like Soad are able to finish school and achieve their dreams.
Thanks to ongoing support, Soad was able to become one of the best-performing students in her last year of high school and achieved 91% in her final exams. She also had high hopes of attending university and being able to work. Through the higher education scholarship fund under the program, Soad was able to achieve this dream, as she is now studying Business Management at Palestine university.
Worldwide, Islamic Relief has been on the ground, assisting orphans such as Soad, who excel at school and want to enter higher education so that they can become the doctors, engineers and teachers of tomorrow. Together, through the Orphan Sponsorship Program, we continue to give thousands of orphans more opportunities to support themselves and contribute positively to their communities.
As the need for Orphan sponsorship continues to grow, by becoming a sponsor with Islamic Relief, you can make a real difference in the life of an orphan and help them build a brighter future.
Help support an orphan and change their lives
By donating just $100 a month, you can give a child like Soad the chance to pursue their dreams and build a brighter future.
Minahil’s life was forever changed when she lost both her parents at a young age. At just 3 years old, she lost her father in a car accident, and then lost her mother at the age of 5. Along with her two sisters, Minahil was taken in by her aunt, but due to financial struggles, she was unable to attend school for a few years.
However, things changed for the better when Minahil’s aunt came across a team from Islamic Relief Pakistan. The organisation was looking to support orphans and provided Minahil with the opportunity to go back to school. Today, Minahil is enjoying her education and making friends.
“I like going to school because I like my teachers and I have friends there. We study and play together,” says Minahil.
Minahil’s aunt also expresses her gratitude to Islamic Relief. She says, “I want to thank Islamic Relief. It’s because of them that so many children are getting educated.”
Photo: Through support from Islamic Relief’s Orphan Care, many orphaned children like Minahil can access the resources they need to thrive.
The Importance of Orphan Sponsorship in Islam
Minahil’s story is just one example of how initiatives like Islamic Relief’s OrphanCare Programme are making a difference in the lives of orphans. It also, in turn, echoes and affirms the great importance Islam places on caring for and looking after those in need, especially orphans.
In Islam, numerous verses in the Quran and many ahadith highlight the virtues of supporting and protecting orphans. In one particular hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “I and the person who looks after an orphan will be like this in Paradise,” and linked his two fingers together to show how close they will be to each other in the afterlife.
Orphan sponsorship programs like the one offered by Islamic Relief provide not only financial support but also a sense of belonging and community for orphaned children like Minahil and her sisters. It helps them to have access to education, healthcare, and other basic needs, allowing them to achieve their full potential and succeed in life.
The Need for Orphan Sponsorship
Unfortunately, the number of orphans in the world is staggering. According to UNICEF, there are over 140 million orphans globally, with the majority of them living in developing countries. These children are often faced with poverty, lack of education and limited opportunities, and are in desperate need of external support.
That’s why orphan sponsorship programs like Islamic Relief’s OrphanCare are here to provide a lifeline for these children, giving them the chance to break the cycle of poverty and build a better future. Through your generosity and kindness, Islamic Relief can provide for thousands of orphans worldwide and fulfil a noble cause that is highly emphasised in Islam.
As the need for Orphan sponsorship continues to grow, by becoming a sponsor with Islamic Relief, you can make a real difference in the life of an orphan and help them build a brighter future.
Help support an orphan and change their lives
By donating just $100 a month, you can give a child like Minahil the chance to pursue their dreams and build a brighter future.
2022 has come to an end, and its end brings with it an opportunity to reflect on the year that was.
We as a team have been doing just that recently, and want to share some of our highlights and reflections with the broader community.
This year was the first true “post-pandemic” year, where we were able to focus on healing the poverty and hardship caused around the world by COVID-19 while also responding promptly to numerous global emergencies, including floods, earthquakes and more.
Islamic Relief Australia continues its ongoing efforts to address local needs, helping fundraise for numerous Muslim community initiatives, responding to natural disasters and actively engaging in important community forums.
We couldn’t have achieved what we did this year without the support of our fantastic team and volunteers, and the ongoing generosity of our donors. Here are some of the key highlights and notable events that made the year what it was for us.
A real highlight of 2022 was being able to come together as a team for in-person events, meetings and collaboration.
Supercharging our active community collaborations
One of the hallmarks of Islamic Relief Australia’s history to date has been our closeness to the Australian Muslim community.
We are by, of, and for our community. We share its struggles, celebrate its successes and have an important part to play in its progress as a uniquely international and mature full-scale NGO with a truly global presence.
With the most directly disruptive phase of the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, Islamic Relief Australia aits collaborations and activities with the community in a big way: we sponsored a landmark community event (see below) and helped fundraise and provide our experience for the benefit of various centres and mosques in the making.
Crescent Awards: A new, community-building partnership
On Saturday the 6th of August 2022, Islamic Relief Australia was privileged to be a Principal Sponsor of the inaugural Crescent Awards.
The Awards were a notable, landmark event in our community’s history, bringing long-needed and overdue recognition to the efforts of incredible Muslims in the education sector: From teachers and educators to aspiring students and those giving back to the community.
The Awards were a fantastic evening, with the clear potential of our community on display for all to see. The Islamic Relief Australia team was there in support, and our CEO, br Samir Bennegadi, delivered an address on our relationship with Crescent Wealth and Crescent Foundation, as well as on our reasons for supporting the inaugural Awards night.
We look forward to an incredible, lasting relationship with the Crescent Awards as a landmark new event on the annual Muslim community calendar.
Being involved with the inaugural Crescent Awards was a real highlight of our year.
Partnership with key Centres and Mosques in the making
At Islamic Relief Australia, connecting with local communities and helping build brighter futures remains at the heart of work.
At the core of our community are its mosques and centres: hubs of activities that give life to the community and give opportunities to young and old to immerse themselves in the lived Muslim community experience.
We were actively involved in collaborating with some notable emerging centres and mosques in the fundraising and inception phases, including the magnificent Melbourne Grand Mosque and the landmark Al Nawawi Centre in Sydney.
Our CEO, Br Samir Bennegadi, was delighted to speak about Islamic Relief’s community-building work at the Melbourne Grand Mosque volunteers event to an enthusiastic audience in November this year.
We look forward to continuing to collaborate with such emerging hubs of our community going forward.
Our CEO, br Samir Bennegadi, addressing a Melbourne Grand Mosque event.Islamic Relief Australia signed an MOU with Southport Islamic Cenre and is honoured to be part of a visionary journey to fulfill the various needs of our Queensland Muslim community.
Ongoing intra-community events and collaboration
We were honoured to be invited by the Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, to a lunch with Bishop George Browning, bringing together these important faith leaders to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.
The topic of discussion was inter-organisational cooperation and joint initiatives to support the people of Palestine – a cause close to the heart of our work at Islamic Relief Australia.
Bishop George Browning is the President of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN), a very active and vocal advocacy organisation in Australia (https://apan.org.au).
Present from Islamic Relief was also our CEO Samir Bennegadi, and we were joined by other leading Muslim community leaders during the lunch. We believe such engagements are crucial and productive for the future of our community, and look forward to supporting more such engagements in 2023.
The Islamic Relief Australia team with Bishop George Browning and the Mufti of Australia, Mufti Ibrahim Abu Muhammad.
Bridge Walk for Charity: A Cause for Humanity
In August, Islamic Relief Australia hosted a charity walk through the heart of Sydney to raise awareness and funds for the ongoing tragic situation in Gaza.
The walk was organised in response to the humanitarian crisis that again impacted Gaza this year, where more than 44 people, including 17 children, were killed since the Israeli military launched attacks in early August 2022.
Islamic Relief Australia has always been determined to do everything to help those affected by the various crises in Palestine. The charity walk aimed to raise vital funds for a Medical Centre in Gaza to provide desperately needed medical care to support the voiceless affected by the conflict.
The walk took the participants on a scenic route through Sydney on a beautiful Sydney day, on a 3.2 km walk from Archibald Fountain, and ended at Milsons Point.
Palestine continues to be close to our minds and hearts always.
Working with global leaders to help the most vulnerable
In October, Islamic Relief Australia was joined by UNICEF Australia for a workshop focused on Early Childhood Development (ECD) and our three joint ECD projects in Vanuatu, Cambodia and the Solomon Islands.
Our partnership with this leading charitable institution allows us to reach so many more children in the Asia Pacific that are in need.
Together, our projects empower disadvantaged families and give children a brighter future. We believe that the focus on giving children a chance in life is central to the ethos of our work at Islamic Relief Australia, and were proud to be working together with UNICEF Australia. In 2023, we look forward to continuing to do so to ensure that those most in need receive immediate aid and relief.
We were privileged to be joined by joined by UNICEF Australia for a workshop focused on Early Childhood Development (ECD).
Involvement in the Alliance of Australian Muslims
Islamic Relief Australia was honoured and privileged to be present at the 5th Alliance of Australian Muslims Summit 2022 in October.
Over 200 Muslim organisations were present on an important day for the Muslim community.
The National Summit focused on the key areas of promoting and preserving the Australian Muslim identity, enhancing media and political engagement, strengthening public relations, advocating for the protection of the civil rights of minority groups and religious freedom, countering Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment, and matters of special interest to Australian Muslim women.
Muslim organisations from every corner of the country were gathered to bring their collective experience, energies and talents together for the long-term of our community.
The gathering was productive and extremely constructive, with great discussions on the needs of Muslims in Australia going forward.
We were represented by our CEO, Br Samir Bennegadi, who contributed on our behalf to the important conversations that happened on the day. He has also served on the Alliance’s steering committee for the last 5 years since its inception.
Islamic Relief Australia was honoured and privileged to be present at the 5th Alliance of Australian Muslims Summit 2022 in October.
Continued global impact as part of the Islamic Relief family
Islamic Relief has continued to actively help people in need. Throughout the year we were still able to help more than 13 million people in 34 countries, carrying out more than 770 significant projects*.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors over 85,000 orphans were sponsored in 26 different countries, almost 1.6 million people were fed with Ramadan food packs, and more than 4 million people received nutritious meals from your Qurbani donations.
We were able to provide water, sanitation, and hygiene to over 1.3 million people and helped almost 3.6 million others with specialist support for their livelihoods worldwide.
The distances we need to travel have increased, the logistics for delivering aid have become more complex, and humanitarian needs have required more urgent responses this year.
For 38 years Islamic Relief has been able to help people in need, reacting rapidly to emergencies and providing humanitarian assistance thanks to the generosity of our donors.
We would like to thank all of our donors; you have changed lives and you have saved lives.
*Figures shown are estimates as of November 2022, the final figures will be highlighted in our 2022 Annual Report.
Beautiful Mosques: For more than a year, COVID-19 has put all of our travel plans on hold with ongoing travel restrictions and indefinite quarantine periods. Australians are known to be avid travelers, so this has put a damper on our travel spirits with many of us itching to pack our bags and set sail. But with talks of borders opening up and travel bubbles, we have been given glimmers of hope that travel will be back on the agenda soon.
So, what better way to celebrate than by putting together a bucket list of places you want to visit?! Let’s start with the most magnificent mosques that everyone should visit, at least once in their life.
Blue Mosque and Bosphorus in Istanbul
Starting my list is the Blue Mosque in my own hometown, Istanbul. The Blue Mosque is a masterpiece that complements Istanbul’s beautiful skyline and can be seen from all parts of Istanbul – whether you’re cruising the Bosphorus or viewing it from the Galata Tower as seen below.
The Blue Mosque gets its name from the 20,000 blue hand-painted ceramic tiles that line its interior.
Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morrocco
This unique mosque is located on Casablanca’s coast. Partially built on land and sea, it towers over the Atlantic Ocean – a sight to see, indeed! Interestingly, it is the second largest functioning mosque in Africa and is the seventh largest in the world. To date, it has the world’s second tallest minaret at 210 metres.
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Iran
The Nasir Al Mulk Mosque which is famously known as the “Pink Mosque” is in the picturesque city of Shiraz, Iran. This is definitely a must-see on your tour of visiting the most beautiful mosques in the world. It was built during the Qajar dynasty rule of Iran and is decorated with extensive glasswork which gives it its famous name.
Kul Sharif Mosque, Russia
The Kul Sharif Mosque, at the time of its construction, was the largest mosque in Russia outside of Istanbul, until it was destroyed by Ivan the Terrible during the storming of Kazan in the 16th century. It incorporates elements of early Renaissance and Ottoman architecture which gives it its unique design.
Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, Spain
Better known by its ecclesiastical name, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba is located in the Spanish region of Andalusia. Although it was originally a 6th century Catholic church, it was later converted into a mosque in the 8th century.
Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. It was constructed between 1996 and 2007 and is one of the most visited mosques during Friday and Eid prayers with over 41,000 visitors. The stunning architecture makes it a must-see!
Al Aqsa Mosque
Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Al Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam and is also a UNESCO listed site. Al Aqsa Mosque has a special significance for Muslims as it was where the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ascended into the heavens as part of the miraculous events of Isra’ (the Night Journey) and Mi’raj (Ascension).
Al Nabawi Mosque, Medina, Saudi Arabia
The Al Nabawi mosque is also known as the Prophet’s Mosque as it was built by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the city of Medina, Saudi Arabia. It was the third mosque to be built in the history of Islam and is one of the largest in the world. It is considered the second holiest site in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is buried underneath the green dome at the center of the mosque.
Masjid al-Haram
Last, but definitely not least, is the Masjid al-Haram, which is the holiest of all mosques in the world. It is located in the Makkah Province of Saudi Arabia and is the site of the Hajj pilgrimage, which every Muslim must do at once in their life. The Great Mosque includes other significant sites, including the Black Stone, the Zamzam Well, Maqam Ibrahim, and the hills of Safa and Marwa. The Great Mosque of Mecca is the largest mosque in the world and is also the eighth largest building in the world.
“…and those in whose wealth there is a recognised right, for the needy and deprived” (Qur’an 70:24-5)
Thank you for giving your zakat to help vulnerable families globally. As a faith-inspired NGO we are guided by the Prophet’s (PBUH) way of life (Sunnah) and the Qur’an. We take your trust in us very seriously and work tirelessly to ensure your zakat donations are not just a simple transaction, but rather a means to end global poverty and suffering. Your zakat reaches those who need it most in the form of medicine, education, food, water, shelter, and so much more. May you be rewarded for you generosity and faith.
In 2020, your zakat has touched the lives of over 28,751 people in dire need all over the world. These are some of the ways in which your zakat has been used.
Providing warmth for refugees and disadvantaged communities in winter
In 2020, we used your zakat to provide warmth to refugees and displaced families battling freezing winter conditions across Jordan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. In these parts of the world, severe storms and blizzards make it almost impossible for vulnerable families to stay warm and dry during winter. Uprooted by war or conflict, the greatest struggle is for refugees and displaced communities who are left exposed to the extreme cold. As part of our 2020 winter campaign, your zakat supported 16,000 men women and children with essentials like clothes, fuel, blankets and mattresses.
Community-based healthcare for displaced persons in Afghanistan
With decades of conflict in Afghanistan and the surrounding region, internal displacement is at record levels. Many have had to return to Afghanistan from neighbouring countries and thousands more are internally displaced, leading to a growing humanitarian crises. Using your zakat donations, we are funding a primary healthcare project largely focussed on mothers, children and young people. As part of this project, we will work to deliver:
improved maternal healthcare including antenatal and postnatal care for mothers;
nutrition support and psycho-social counselling for pregnant women;
improved nutritional levels for under-five children; and
intensive health support for severely and acutely undernourished children.
We will also strengthen public health services through improved community-based health points and referrals, with learning and self-development opportunities for young people through youth clubs and community activities. The project will help over 4,000 community members, primarily mothers and children.
Improving the economic conditions of vulnerable communities in Mindanao, Philippines
This is a three-year development project in Mindanao, Philippines that aims to improve the economic conditions of 1,000 women, people with disabilities and youth in some of the most vulnerable communities in the region. The project is focused on supporting the local community become self-sufficient by increasing the production and marketing of local products.
Building the resilience of vulnerable communities in Indonesia
Your zakat is benefitting over 3,000 community members in Bima City, Indonesia. The project is assisting mainly farmers achieve two main goals; to learn to prepare for and manage local disasters, and to save lives and livelihoods. Community members are being assisted to improve their farming techniques and to develop additional livelihoods through small business opportunities. Beneficiaries will be supported by training and mentoring initiatives as well as start-up capital.
Alleviating suffering at home
Your zakat has also been used to relieve suffering in Australia during 2020. Although Australia is a largely developed country, there are pockets of chronic disadvantage. To address this, we have a partnership with Brothers in Need where, amongst other activities, we support an initiative to provide food and essential items to the homeless.
Your zakat is making a difference locally and more broadly – in countries that have experienced conflict and disasters, and in communities battling crippling poverty where development is so badly needed.
We’re often told to “trust God” when things don’t quite go our way – maybe you didn’t get that job you were relying on, a relationship didn’t work out the way you hoped or you’re battling a bigger challenge that no one really knows about. As Muslims, tawakkul(having complete trust in and reliance on God) is a concept which we all theoretically understand but many of us actually struggle to practice – particularly when we’re going through difficulties or thinking about the unknown future. So, how do we conquer our fears and reduce our anxieties about things we can’t control?
Well, below we look at some practical ways you can nurture your tawakkulon a daily basis. Trusting God in all his teachings.
1. Know Allah (SWT) through his many attributes
Trusting in God; it is important that we first get to know Him as best we can. So,learn, study and reflect on the many names and attributes of Allah (SWT). The best way to do this is to set aside time regularly to read the Qur’an and learn more about the Sunnah.
You’ll soon realise that the more you understand His names and attributes, the easier it will be to have complete trust in Him. For example, in the Qur’an Allah (SWT) beautifully reassures the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
“(O Prophet), your Lord has neither forsaken you, nor is He displeased.Indeed what is to come will be better for you than what has gone by.” (Qu’ran 93:3-4)
This is an important reminder that no matter whatever befalls us, Allah (SWT) loves us and only wants the best for us – even if we do not immediately see the silver lining in a “bad” situation. After all, the Prophets, who were so dear to Allah (SWT), were tested the most.
2. Do your best
Islam recognises that humans have limited capacity to comprehend everything – after all it is God who holds infinite knowledge and wisdom. So, while we don’t always have the knowledge or insight to make sense of a situation, e.g. a global pandemic, we are encouraged to “tie our camels” – that is to do our due diligence and then put our trust in Allah.
3. Make dua’a
“And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ ” Qur’an 40:60
You shouldn’t underestimate the power of dua’a; it is the greatest form of worship and an importantpart of tawakkul. If you want to be among those who wholeheartedly believe; trusting in Allah (SWT), then ask Him sincerely for whatever your heart desires – nothing is impossible for Him! Above all, have firm belief that your prayer will be answered in a way that is best for you. Remember, what you might want could be very different to what youactually need – He knows, while we do not. Once we submit to this reality, the road ahead doesn’t seem so daunting.
Sydney’s iconic harbourside and west offers a surprising yet tasty halal food scene. To guide you through the sea of options we have compiled a list of options that are not to be missed. Whether you’re an IG foodie, casual foodie or just looking for somewhere nice to eat – we’ve got you covered.
Rashays If you’re from Sydney then you know, Rashays is a staple. They offer an enticing range of halal burgers, meats and pizzas as well as an all day brekky that would be on par with your local Italian pizzeria. They have many great locations; including Darling Harbour, Parramatta, Lidcombe and many more. And to save you the hassle, yes, all their branches are Halal certified.
El Janna/ Hawa If you are from the west and love your chicken, then the El Janna, Hawa combo is definitely a must. Run for years in the heart of Granville, they both offer the best charcoal chicken man can get. Their wraps are a crowd favourite, alongside the half chicken and chips, and of course, dine–in options are suitable with ample space for your next group function. The only downside is parking can get a bit hectic on busy nights such as Friday or Saturday, but for me it’s never been a real issue.
Sydney Fish Market Any local will tell you, “have you even been to Sydney if you haven’t visited the Sydney Fish Market?!”. If you are a fan of the grilled/battered fish combo(like any other human) then you can’t leave here without trying it. They also have a wide selection of fresh seafood including, prawns, oysters, lobster and barramundi to harder-to-find delicacies such as sea urchin, marron, spannercrab and scampi. And before you say, “is that it”, there are over 100 species available every day, so our enthusiastic foodies will never get bored with the selection. Also, have a look at the new revamped Sydney Fish Market, said to be open in 2023.
Thai Garden Auburn What’s life without Thai food? Tucked away on 129 Parramatta Road across from the Nike Factory, is a Halal friendly, cosy Thai restaurant that not many locals even know about. I can go on about the amazing taste of their Green Curry (personal green curry enthusiast) and Chilli Jam Stir-Fry but to be honest, the main thing that sets them apart from the rest is their amazing customer service. A warm reception and speedy service makes you feel right at home while enjoying your favouritedish. You really can’t go wrong here.
Now there is more to this list, but like any good cliff-hanger, we will
wait until the last Instalment of our 2020 newsletter to reveal the second half of our certified Islamic Relief Australia Halal foodie list.
Thanks to your generosity,our partners on the ground worked tirelessly to deliver fresh qurban meat to families in need across 17 countries during Eid al-Adha. Because of amazing people like you, our global Islamic Relief family distributed approximately 600,000 Qurbani meat packs in 30 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the United States.
Alhamdulillah, together, we reached approximately 3 million people! Your compassion for people in need ensured we could achieve the best ever Qurban campaign in Islamic Relief’s history.
When we all work together to care for our sisters and brothers in need, incredible things happen. This noble endeavour would not be possible without the help of donors like you.
To all of you that help make giving possible, thank you for spreading joy this Qurban/Udhiyah season.
May Allah (swt) bless you with the best in this life and in the HereAfter.
Here are just some of the people who have benefitted from our 2020 Global Qurban Program:
Dhul-Hijjah is upon us, a truly special time of the year where Muslims from all around the world can ask forgiveness from Allah for any potential shortcomings they may have had. Fasting is also sunnah during the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah. Bringing with it the equivalent reward to that of staying up during Laylatul Qadr, it’s really that powerful.
“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these days.” (Bukhari)
The Big Day: Eid
As the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah draw to a close, and we complete our ninth fast, our attention turns to one of the most blessed, joyful and celebrated days of the year, Eid al-Adha. With the arrival of Eid al-Adha comes the reason we celebrate, Qurban. The act of offering Qurban is obligatory for all Muslims and carries with it a powerful significance, but just what is that significance?
The Magic of Qurbani
Offering Qurban isn’t just a chance to celebrate Eid-al-Adha, it’s a period of remembrance, remembering the sacrifice Prophet Ibrahim made to Allah in his willingness to forgo his son in the name of Allah. It is during this holy period that we should remember those less fortunate, and exercise our willingness to bring them joy during this special time.
Beyond an Animal
Donating your Qurban is about more than just providing meat to a family in need. It’s about recognising the importance of not being attached to worldly desires, and truly submitting ourselves to the will of Allah. Acknowledging that there is nothing more important than attaining Allah’s love and a special place in the Hereafter.
Prophet Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son to fulfil Allah’s wish, no greater sacrifice for a parent. This shows us just that, Allah seeks only our love and in return gifts us with his boundless mercy, which we should never take for granted.
Peran Bussu is a 75-year-old Rohingya refugee who was forcibly displaced from his home and now lives in a refugee camp in Bangladesh with his family.
The family have been living in dire conditions and have struggled with everyday tasks since they were displaced.
“Now that I am 75 years old I am no longer able to work and my memory has been affected. Most of the time I struggle to remember things. As a refugee it is very difficult to get a job…most of the time we depend on charitable food donations”, says Peran.
With the lack of a reliable income, Peran and his family face great difficulty when it comes to being able to eat regular, balanced meals. In particular, having the opportunity to eat meat is almost impossible.
“We try our best to run a household but there is little work for us, so we rely on relief goods. Meat is not cooked in our home for months on end. It is impossible for us to buy meat…over the last two years, the idea of eating meat is like a dream. When we were in Myanmar we were able to eat meat a few times a week, but in the last two years we have only been able to have it three or four times in total. I am sure this affects our health. We can’t purchase enough food to live sufficiently, but we depend on Allah”, says Peran.
Last year, Islamic Relief’s gift of qurban was warmly welcomed by Peran and his family.
“Eid al-Adha commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (AS) and is important for us to remember. I remember Eid in my country but as a refugee we cannot afford to sacrifice any animals right now. A few days before Eid my wife asked me about how we will spend the day when we have no money and no meat to eat. I told her that only Allah knows how it will be.
“Then I heard that Islamic Relief had arranged some Qurban meat for us. Over the last two years we have been able to celebrate Eid because of these donations. Apart from Islamic Relief and their donors people have forgotten about us. Thank you all for staying with us”, says Peran.
