ABOUT THE PROJECT
Every year, Muslims worldwide perform the ritual sacrifice of animals, such as goats, sheep, cows, or camels, in commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Prophet Ismail, for the sake of Allah, dating back to approximately 2,000 BC. The sacrificial act has become an essential practice for centuries in our religious life, serving as a form of worship, symbol, and a sign of Islamic communities. Reflecting on our Islamic history, we find that our forefather, Prophet Ibrahim, was willing to make this sacrifice, even if it was just in his dream, as he knew it was what he had promised to Allah and what the Almighty God wanted him to do.
Every Muslim understands that the true purpose of Qurban, or sacrificing animals, is an act of worship to attain Allah’s consent and to seek closeness to Him. Qurban is also an expression of social assistance and solidarity. The meat from Qurban is generally divided into three equal parts – one for the home, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy. Therefore, the majority of the meat from the sacrificed animals is consumed by the poor, ensuring that at least one-third of the meat goes to them.
Qurban can also be viewed as a symbolic expression that a Muslim is willing to sacrifice anything they have to worship Allah, obey His command, and give up anything for His sake. The Islamic decree mandating this offering is considered a great blessing and mercy upon people. In practice, poor individuals who have faced difficulties and have not been able to afford meat (beef) for almost a year may have the opportunity to receive a significant amount of meat during the occasion of Eid al-Adha. This aspect of Islam, which upholds social justice, becomes evident.
Our commitment to this project underscores our dedication to alleviating hunger and providing sustenance to those who need it most. We are grateful for the partnership and support of organizations like the Australian Relief Organisation, which enables us to extend our reach and impact, ultimately making a positive difference in the lives of countless individuals and families.
During the distribution process, ARO’s teams visited families in the local village, learning about their livelihoods. Additionally, the teams engaged in charitable activities, including donating money to a disabled person, purchasing rice for people living on boats, and providing clothes, toys, and study materials to children and students. These efforts aimed not only to address immediate needs but also to foster a sense of community support and solidarity among the beneficiaries.
DISTRIBUTION
Over the years, from 2021 to 2023, our organization has made significant strides in our Qurban Beef Project, contributing to the well-being of communities in need. During this period, we collectively slaughtered a total of 200 cows, with 30 of them generously provided by the Australian Relief Organisation.
Through this initiative, we have been able to distribute nourishing beef packages to approximately 5,000 families across various provinces and institutions. These include areas such as Phnom Penh, Kampong Chhnang, Kandal, Kampong Cham, Tboung Khmum, Kratie, and even hospitals, where individuals facing hardships and vulnerabilities received essential support.
