ANKARA – As Muslims prepare to welcome `Eid Al-Adha later this month, Turkish aid groups are rolling up their sleeves to help millions of unprivileged people worldwide during the Muslim feast.
During the Islamic holy festival, leading Turkish aid agencies will reach millions of people in more than 100 countries across the globe, Anadolu Agency reported on Wednesday.
The Turkish Red Crescent has distributed meat to millions for more than a decade, and this year will continue its aid to 1.5 million people in 40 countries, said the group’s head, Kerem Kinik.
The Turkish Deniz Feneri Association also plans to help people in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
The Istanbul-based Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) will distribute meat to around 3 million needy people in 103 countries, according to its head, Yavuz Dede.
The aid group will prioritize refugee camps, areas struck by war or natural disaster, people suffering from chronic hunger and poverty, the elderly, widows, orphanages, schools, and hospitals.
The International Refugee Rights Association (UMHD) and Sadakatasi Foundation are both making efforts to reach out to hundreds of thousands of needy Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Meat packages will be distributed to the Rohingya Muslims at camps in Cox’s Bazar.
The Sadakatasi Foundation will distribute aid in a total of 30 countries.
The Cansuyu Charity and Solidarity Organization will also help people in 28 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, while the Hayrat Humanitarian Aid Association will be active in 48 countries.
`Eid Al-Adha, or “Feast of Sacrifice”, marks the end of the Hajj season and is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations, together with Eid Al-Fitr.
A financially-able Muslim sacrifices a single sheep or goat or shares with six others in sacrificing a camel or cow as an act of worship during the four-day `Eid Al-Adha celebrations.
The ritual commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail to Allah as an act of obedience and submission.
The Udhiyah meat is divided in three equal parts, one each for one’s own family, friends and the poor.
It is permissible that someone in another country could perform the sacrifice on one’s behalf.