Team Queens with Islamic Relief

Many people around the world cannot afford to eat meat. It's a luxury for them. But once a year, on Eid-ul-adha, Muslims around the world pay to feed one another for Qurbani/Udhiya. Join on us on this journey this year to give food around the world.

When you choose to give your Qurbani/Udhiyah through Islamic Relief USA, you can trust that you’re giving the best.

IRUSA staff choose healthy animals and prepare the meat according to Islamic principles. The high-quality meat is delivered in a timely manner, to people who really need it.

For many of these people, it’s the only meat they eat all year.

IRUSA works in 30+ countries to distribute Qurbani. These include hard-to-reach places and conflict zones, where your gift means that much more. When you donate, the money will go toward where it is deemed to be most needed. 

Islamic Relief staff worldwide know where to direct your gift, because they know who really needs it. These staff members work with people in need, day in and day out. They know who struggles every day. They know who needs your gift of meat, and they are hoping you’ll send it. When you do, they’re happy to work hard right through Eid to deliver your gift.

Your gift brings joy on Eid to the families who share the meat. It’s a cherished treat and a boost in nutrition. Often times, it’s a gift they remember all year, and beyond.

Our program uses 100% halal meat from healthy animals. Meat is sourced locally whenever possible, to support the local economy and ensure freshness. All meat in 2018 will be delivered fresh, insha’Allah — not canned or frozen — except the meat in the U.S., which is high-quality frozen meat.

Who It Helps

People who receive meat include widows, orphans, the destitute, the elderly, people with disabilities, refugees and disaster-affected populations—generally, people who cannot afford to buy meat often and whose diets are lacking in calories and nutrition.

This year, the $59 qurbani will be distributed in 4 countries:

As the 12th poorest country in Africa, Mali has remained poverty-stricken for many years. Malnutrition issues, lack of education and conflict are the main causes of poverty in Mali.

The average wage in Mali is $1.25 per day, and more than half of the population currently lives below the international poverty line. This contributes to Mali being one of the least developed countries in the world. The average life expectancy of adults in Mali is 55, due to malnutrition and the lack of access to clean water.

Mali is mostly self-sufficient in the food market. Many people work on farms in order to grow crops to provide for their families and communities. Mali faces many issues involving its climate and landscape. Two-thirds of Mali is desert, meaning that immediately, droughts become a serious issue. With poor soils, millions find it difficult to grow the crops they need and due to low wages, they are unable to buy what their family demands. As a result, malnutrition becomes a leading issue and is the main factor of poverty in Mali.

Malawi

A food crisis has lasted for decades – Malawi has been experiencing severe food crisis for decades. Around 1949 and 1950, Malawi had a severe famine, and in October of 2001, reports of a famine were once again spread in rural Malawi. The government did not believe the rumors and did not act on them until hunger struck in 2002. At that time, at least 500 people died of starvation and hunger-related diseases. By 2005, approximately 4.7 million Malawians, out of 12 million, still suffered from food shortages. More recently, from July 2016 until March 2017, Malawi had food security and nutrition issues due to El Niño, which led to the president declaring a state of national disaster.

Niger

Poverty in Niger is widespread and enduring in one of the world's most impoverished countries.^[1] In 2015, the United Nations (UN) Human Development Index ranked Niger as the second least-developed of 188 countries.^[2] Additionally, in 2015 the Global Finance Magazine ranked Niger 7th among the twenty-three poorest countries in the world.^[3] Two out of three residents live below the poverty line and more than 40 percent of the population earn less than $1 a day. Civil war, terror, illness, disease, poverty and hunger plague Niger.^[4] Hunger is one of the most significant problems the population faces daily.^[2] With a national population of 19,899,120, 45.7% of this population live below the poverty line.

Food insecurity

Representing nearly 35% of the population, an estimated 5.4 million citizens are food-insecure. Around 40% of children are underweight.^[5] Two and a half million people experience hunger and 800,000 children are malnourished. In January 2018, UNICEF flagged the terrorist insurgency of Boko Haram as a significant cause of the malnourishment of 400,000 children, labeling Niger as the world's most under-funded humanitarian crisis. Millions more are required humanitarian assistance after fleeing their homes. The agency warned that 90,000 children could die of Severe Acute Malnutrition in the coming year unless the international community took swift action. This amounts to more than 240 child deaths each day. The lack of food in Niger causes malnutrition and weakness, which often leads to infection and illness. One in four children dies before reaching age five.^[6] In 2015, ongoing floods, droughts, and temperature spikes attributed to climate change caused a severe food crisis compounded by water shortages.^[7]

How Many Do I Give?

You can give one gift on behalf of your entire family, or you can give more. Many donors choose to give one Qurbani/Udhiyah gift on behalf of each family member — or sometimes in honor of relatives who have passed away, so they can receive the reward.

BACKGROUND: What is Udhiyah/Qurbani?

The important Islamic tradition you might be overlooking!

1. Udhiyah / Qurbani is the tradition of sharing meat with your family and with the poor at the end of the Hajj season, at Eid al-Adha

Udhiyah is an Arabic word and Qurbani is an Urdu/Persian word derived from Arabic. They both connote the meaning of sacrifice, or an act done for the pleasure of Allah.

2.      It’s about the story of Prophet Ibrahim, his son Prophet Ismail, and the ram that replaced Ismail (PBUH).

Prophet Ibrahim dreamed he was sacrificing his beloved son Ismail (peace be upon them). He asked his son what he thought. Young Ismail said, “Do as you are commanded.”

But when they went to do the hardest thing they could imagine doing, Allah replaced Ismail with a ram.

They had passed the test—they were willing to give up what they loved most.

We commemorate their sacrifice with a financial sacrifice ourselves—buying an animal or the prepared meat, and sharing it with the poor.

3.      It’s in the Quran.

"Therefore turn in prayer to your Lord and sacrifice (to Him only)." (108:2)

"It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is piety from you that reaches Him." (22:37)

4.      The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) did it.

Abdullah ibn 'Umar (RA) said:

"The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stayed in Madinah for 10 years, offering sacrifice (every year on Eid)."  (Ahmad and Tirmidhi)

Al-Baraa' ibn 'Aazib (RA) said the Prophet (PBUH) said:

"Whoever offers a sacrifice after the prayer has completed his rituals (of Eid) and has followed the way of the Muslims." (Al-Bukhari)

5.      It’s a great blessing when you share the meat with people in need!

"Whoever offers a sacrifice after the prayer has completed his rituals (of Eid) and has followed the way of the Muslims." (Al-Bukhari)

Smiles on Eid

The burden of taking care of her children alone in a war zone is a heavy one every day for Umm Mohammed, but Eid is especially hard.

Her husband was killed in an airstrike in Syria, and since then, she has moved her three children from place to place, looking for somewhere safe to stay. Sometimes she works in the olive groves, harvesting olives and watering trees, to get food for the children. The memories of the past are strong, and they contrast sharply with life as it is now. Especially on holidays.

“When Eid comes, we feel depressed,” she said. “There are no sweets, gifts, and new clothes. I don’t have enough money to get the Eid needs, and we hope to get back to our old home one day so I can get everything for my children.”

Islamic Relief staff found her near Idlib last year and brought a very special gift from caring people in the United States —Eid meat.

“You have filled my children’s hearts with joy and happiness,” she said. “May Allah bless you and reward you for putting a smile on my children’s faces.”