As Muslims prepare for Eid al-Adha celebrations, many performing qurbaan will want to share the meat of the animals that are sacrificed with the less fortunate. Given the dire need that those in war ravaged countries find themselves in, Al-Imdaad Foundation will for the second year be granting South Africans the opportunity to share their qurban with the people of Syria. Al-Imdaad, which is a non-profit relief organization dedicated to providing humanitarian services in crisis situations, launched a successful project that has made it possible for qurban meat to be shipped to war-torn countries by canning it.

For 2016 Eid al-Adha, the organisers plan to slaughter sheep in Australia, after which it will be minced and canned in New Zealand. The meat will subsequently be shipped to Syria via Turkey.

South Africans can assist in mitigating the effects of the Syrian war for the thousands still trapped in the ravaged country, donating R1850 per sheep.

Speaking to VOC, spokesperson for Al-Imdaad Foundation, Qari Ziyaad Patel explains that Al-Imdaad’s many officers around the world has provided it with the manpower to initiate and implement the project and give Syrians access to meat during their Eid celebartions.

“It is difficult for one to give qurbaani in Syria itself, but through this initiative that goal can be achieved. Al-Imdaad has various offices across the globe that helps to facilitate and implement this project,” Patel stated.

In light of the carnage that accompanies war, he says that the meat has been well received during previous distributions since it alleviates to certain degree the suffering that civilians are forced to endure.

“For ourselves that have worked in refugees camps on the borders of Syria, we have seen first-hand how effective and how well received these canned Qurbaani products are amongst various refugees.”

Suggesting that the choice of location for the slaughtering is a sensible decision, Patel explains that Australia is host to many livestock and that the country is well-known for beef and mutton.

Patel notes that the meat that is sent to New Zealand for canning is not simply canned, but is given added piquancy for variation.

“The meat is well-preserved added with some spice and different flavours,” Patel adds.

Patel states that it takes a total of six weeks for the process to be completed, from slaughtering to distribution.

“It is not that long of a process if you look at how the entire process plays out.”

He further mentions that 3 cans are distributed into one food hamper and that one can roughly weighs half a kilogram.

The deadline for purchase a sheep is September9, 2016. For more information, contact: 086 178 6243 or visit http://www.alimdaad.com/.

VOC (Imran Salie)