Latest news with #Korban
Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Over 8,000kg of korban meat to be distributed to 4,232 low-income households in Singapore
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – A total of 8,464kg of korban meat will be distributed to low-income residents in Singapore in July and August. The first meat distribution exercise took place at the void deck of Block 12 Eunos Crescent on July 13, where Acting Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim handed out packets of frozen mutton to 120 residents. The meat, which came from Australia, was donated by participants of 2025's Ibadah Korban, organised by Jamiyah Singapore with the help of the People's Association and Residents' Network. Korban refers to the Islamic ritual of slaughtering farm animals such as sheep and lambs, followed by the distribution of the meat to worshippers and the needy. A total of 4,232 low-income households will each receive 2kg of frozen meat, which will be distributed at 28 constituencies across the island from July to August. Speaking to The Straits Times on the sidelines of the event, Associate Professor Faishal said he has received feedback from members of the Muslim community about opening more mosques for korban to be conducted locally. In 2025, six mosques in Singapore were used as sites for the local korban ritual. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys Business 29 Jollibean workers get help from MOM, other agencies, over unpaid salaries Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up Asia Dr Mahathir resting in hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering Singapore Government looking at enhancing laws around vaping to tackle issue of drug-laced vapes in Singapore Singapore Why the vape scourge in Singapore concerns everyone Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons Another 52 mosques offered overseas korban services, where the livestock is slaughtered overseas and the meat is chilled, packed and sent to Singapore. Prof Faishal said that he is discussing the matter with the relevant authorities. He said: 'Please give us time to look further into the feasibility with our local agencies as we have to be mindful of the important factors such as animal welfare, public hygiene, safety as well as cost.' Since he became Acting Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, Prof Faishal said, he has been walking the ground to understand the concerns of the Muslim community in Singapore. These include concerns about the long waiting times to obtain visas to perform the haj in Saudi Arabia and increasing the quota for haj pilgrims . Since 2018, Singapore has been allocated 900 slots for Singaporeans to perform the haj pilgrimage. The number of haj slots each year depends on Saudi Arabia's allocation, with 2018 being the last time the quota was increased, up from 800. Amid the volatile geopolitical situation in the Middle East, Prof Faishal said he recently reached out to local students studying in Egypt and Jordan over Zoom to hear their concerns. 'Many of them are back in Singapore for their break, and I welcomed them back at the airport,' he said. 'Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muis (the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore), through our student liaison offices in Jeddah and Cairo, we'll continue to work closely with them to monitor developments in the region. 'I want to assure them that their safety and well-being are foremost in our minds.'
Malay Mail
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Singapore Muslims to send 16 tonnes of Korban meat to Gaza
SINGAPORE, June 29 — A total of 16 tonnes of canned Korban meat donated by Muslims in Singapore will be sent to Palestinians in Gaza later this year as part of ongoing humanitarian efforts. According to The Straits Times, the update was shared by Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim yesterday, who said the donation highlights how the community is 'deeply mindful of our responsibility to support those facing humanitarian challenges abroad'. The Korban meat, slaughtered overseas, will be processed and canned before being delivered to Gaza in the second half of 2025. Faishal said distribution will be carried out by 'trusted partners on the ground', citing the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation as one example. 'This initiative represents not just our religious obligations, but also our commitment to supporting communities in crisis,' he reportedly said. 'It demonstrates how our acts of worship can be channelled to those in need and to provide practical assistance to those in dire circumstances.' Korban, the ritual slaughter of livestock during Hari Raya Aidiladha, is largely performed overseas for Singapore's Muslim community. The meat is then chilled and sent back for distribution locally. This year, six mosques in Singapore are approved to conduct Korban rites, with 39 tonnes of meat set aside for about 1,000 local beneficiaries. Faishal revealed that nearly 5,700 overseas Korban orders were made in 2025 — the highest since 2022 and a 20 per cent rise from last year. In response to feedback from the community, he said there are ongoing discussions with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) to potentially expand local Korban operations beyond the current six mosques. However, he stressed that 'the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance' will guide any decision. 'Please give us some time to look further into it and work closely with relevant agencies overseeing the regulatory requirements, to explore the possibilities,' he said. The aid shipment is part of broader efforts to support Gaza. Earlier in 2025, more than S$2.4 million (RM8 million) was raised under the Aid for Gaza campaign from February 24 to April 6. The funds will go towards essentials, healthcare and education for families affected by the conflict. The fundraising drive was spearheaded by the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund, the Egyptian Red Crescent, and Singapore-based humanitarian group Humanity Matters, under the SG60 community platform M³@Towns.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cheaper, riskier, more meaningful: Why Malaysians send their Korban abroad for Aidiladha (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — More Malaysian Muslims are choosing to perform their Hari Raya Korban abroad, citing lower costs and a desire to help communities in crisis. Instead of local mosques or farms, their sacrificial meat ends up feeding families in war-torn Gaza or famine-stricken Chad. There is also an increasing number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and companies that offer end-to-end services – letting donors choose livestock, countries, and recipients with just a few clicks – and cheaper livestock prices in countries like Thailand, India and Chad than at home. Malaysian Islamic authorities also do not restrict Muslims from performing their Qurban overseas, even though it is encouraged that they do it locally. While it may be simpler on the contributor's end, the NGOs tasked with executing these sacrifices abroad often face extreme challenges, especially in conflict zones. Korban in Palestine View this post on Instagram A post shared by MyCARE (@ Muhamad Afiq Zharif Abdul Aziz, supervisor of the MyQurbani programme under Humanitarian Care Malaysia Berhad (MyCare), said part of the reason Malaysians opt to send Korban abroad because they are aware of the geopolitical situations their Muslim brethren face in their homelands, and feel a strong sympathy. Some Malaysians have even experienced the hardships first hand, and feel compelled to continue doing what they can after coming home. 'We were in the midst of buying flight tickets and accommodation before we got the call from our partners saying that they've managed to get across the border. 'So I told them to just proceed and not to wait for us and they went in and Alhamdulillah, we received confirmation from them that all of the Korban and canned beef had been successfully distributed after three days. 'They cooked some of the beef to feed the people there while the rest was given directly to the Palestinians,' he told Malay Mail in a recent interview. MyQurbani operates in 12 countries, including Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Somalia, India and Afghanistan. The programme, which began as Qurban Kasih Ummah under Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia, was rebranded as MyQurbani in 2010. The countries are selected based on their current geopolitical situation with the three main criteria including whether the people in the country are victims of war or in a state of hunger or in extreme poverty. Last year, it distributed meat to over 17,000 families, including 6,000 Palestinian families in the West Bank and Gaza. MyQurbani programme supervisor, Muhammad Afiq Zharif Abdul Aziz sharing a selfie with some of the beneficiaries in India. — Picture courtesy of MyCare Malaysia Afiq said they were fortunate to conduct the ritual in the West Bank and Baitul Maqdis, while delivering canned and frozen beef to Gaza. These efforts were made possible through their partner, UK-based Al-Khair Foundation, which has been active in Palestine for seven years. 'Normally, getting entry into Palestine is very difficult due to extensive military checkpoints and blockades at each entry point,' said Afiq. He said Al-Khair had to build strong relationships with authorities in Jordan and Egypt to gain access. In 2024, the delivery team crossed the Jordan-Palestine border in just a few hours – a rare success. But crossing borders is only part of the challenge. Afiq said trucks carrying aid risk being attacked by illegal settlers. 'They sometimes throw objects and even homemade molotov cocktails,' he said. Despite the risks, MyQurbani plans to continue its work in Palestine as long as partners remain operational. The NGO also runs a field office in Gaza to support distribution and other humanitarian efforts. Surrounded by the hungry Volunteers from Yayasan Amal Malaysia performing Korban rites during their Amal Qurban programme. — Picture courtesy of Yayasan Amal Malaysia Another Malaysian NGO involved in overseas Korban is Yayasan Amal Malaysia. Its Amal Qurban programme runs in 15 countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh and several African nations. Operations head Umar Abdul Aziz Zaman told Malay Mail in a recent interview that participation this year is slightly lower than previous years. He said the highest response came during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, when the group sacrificed over 900 cows and nearly 2,000 goats. 'This is because our clients have given us the trust and responsibility to carry out the Korban and it is imperative that we see it through until the end. 'Only for the distribution part we will leave it to our partners,' said Umar. Unlike groups that outsource the task, Yayasan Amal sends teams of around 18 volunteers to each country. This year, Umar will again lead a team to the Republic of Chad, which continues to face instability due to inter-communal violence, civil unrest, and crime. Yayasan Amal Malaysia during their 2024 Amal Korban programme in the Republic of Chad. — Picture courtesy of Yayasan Amal Malaysia He recalled a tense moment during a previous trip when desperate villagers surrounded their team. 'At first I saw one head and just a few minutes later, more heads started to pop up from the walls – and we were technically surrounded by them. 'Things were so hectic that the police who were escorting us had to fire some warning shots in the air to disperse the crowd. 'They were the local villagers there who were waiting for their Korban meat,' he said. Despite the scare, the team completed their mission safely. To ensure smooth operations, Amal Qurban sends teams five to six months in advance to confirm logistics and verify beneficiary lists. Whether performed at home or abroad, Korban remains an act of devotion and charity. But for many Malaysian Muslims, doing it overseas allows their contributions to go further – and reach those in urgent need.
Malay Mail
05-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Malay Mail
Just tap to sacrifice: How online platforms are transforming Korban rites for Muslim Malaysians
KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — In today's digital world, where technology connects people across geographical borders, even performing religious rituals overseas like the Korban this Aidiladha is now a cinch. Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Malaysia have been proactive in facilitating Muslims in fulfilling their religious obligation in faraway conflict-stricken zones like Palestine – where basic necessities for survival like water, food and medicine are extremely hard to come by. For those unfamiliar, Korban – also spelt Qurban – is the Islamic ritual of animal sacrifice performed during Aidiladha to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son, symbolising devotion, charity, and faith. One such NGO is MyQurbani, a platform under MyCare Malaysia, which boasts over 4,000 Malaysian sponsors contributing to Korban overseas this year, aims to meet or surpass last year's record of 5,000 sponsors. Similarly, Amal Qurban, another NGO, is set to sacrifice around 50 cows, 90 goats, and 40 camels overseas for this year's Hari Raya Aidiladha. How the process works Malaysians, regardless of their financial capabilities, can choose to contribute either a portion or the whole cow or goat. MyQurbani offers donation packages ranging from as low as RM50 to RM2,200 for a contribution towards Korban or a whole animal, depending on the receiving country. Donors simply visit the website, select their intended country and donation package, and purchase it online. Once the donation is made, the NGO takes over, ensuring the Korban is performed on the designated day through partner NGOs in the respective countries, who then distribute the meat to the needy. According to MyQurbani supervisor Muhamad Afiq Zharif Abdul Aziz, last year, the meat was sourced in India and then processed and canned in the United Arab Emirates, before being delivered to Gaza via land transport. He added that the distribution follows a strict process, with MyCare working closely with local NGOs to create a list of eligible beneficiaries based on Zakat recipient criteria. 'Beneficiaries receive coupons before Hari Raya Aidiladha, which they use to collect their portion of the Korban meat. 'The coupons are colour-coded, catering to the varying needs of families,' Muhamad Afiq told Malay Mail. This year, MyQurbani also introduced a new package, 'Sedekah Daging Gaza', aimed at those unable to afford a full portion of a Korban cow due to its high cost. Another local NGO, Yayasan Amal Malaysia's Amal Qurban that has been offering overseas Korban services since 2004, told Malay Mail that the trend of offering Korban abroad has fluctuated over the years, with the peak during the Covid-19 pandemic. Amal Qurban operations head Umar Abdul Aziz Zaman said they have noticed a decrease in animal sacrifices this year compared to the pandemic years, but they still plan to distribute Korban across 15 countries, including Tanzania, Chad, and Nigeria. Amal Qurban allows sponsors to decide on the country for their Korban, and usually sends teams to perform the rites personally. This year, they aim to uphold trust and responsibility by conducting the religious rituals themselves, while leaving distribution to local NGOs familiar with the demographics. 'One team could consist of up to 18 volunteers who would pay for the trip themselves. 'The main reason why we opted to bring our team to do the Korban is because the donors and participants have trusted us with the responsibility of the Korban, and we must do it on our own,' said Umar.
Malay Mail
03-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
From phone to fulfilment: These NGOs offer click-to-Korban services this Aidiladha
KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — With Hari Raya Aidiladha just around the corner, many Muslim Malaysians are opting to perform their Korban abroad – and several local organisations are making that easier than ever. While it is encouraged to perform the sacrificial rites locally, Islamic scholars permit Muslims to do Korban overseas, especially in areas facing conflict or poverty. Here are four NGOs and companies offering international Korban services this year. You might want to hurry, some of these programmes end at midnight today. 1. EZ Korban EZ Korban Sdn Bhd has been active since 2007 and has performed over 171,000 Korban in 40 countries. This year, they offer four packages: Korban Global: RM330 for one-seventh of a cow or RM550 for a goat, done in 37 countries (assigned by EZ Korban). Korban Lokal: RM765 per cow portion or RM999 per goat, done in selected Malaysian states. Korban Syria: RM1,500 for either a goat or a cow portion, performed in Syria. Korban Palestin: RM950 for one-seventh of a buffalo; meat is frozen and shipped into Palestine. Deadline for Korban Palestin was June 2, but registration is still open for other packages via EZ Korban's website. Korban Syria closes June 7; Korban Lokal and Global close June 8. 2. MyQurbani (MyCare Malaysia) MyQurbani is a long-running programme by MyCare, an NGO active for over 26 years. The programme was previously known as Qurban Kasih Ummah. In 2024 alone, they delivered over 1,500 livestock to 17,000 families in 11 countries, apart from Malaysia. Their 12 Aidiladha packages this year include: Malaysia: RM900 (cow portion) India: RM200 (cow portion) Nepal: RM250 (buffalo portion) Somalia: RM390 (whole goat) Afghanistan: RM440 (cow portion) Yemen: RM670 (whole goat) Lebanon (Palestinian refugees): RM1,350 (cow portion) Syria: RM1,600 (whole goat) Palestine (West Bank/Baitulmaqdis): RM2,200 (cow portion) Palestine: RM820 (canned meat), RM780 (frozen beef), RM50 (beef donation) Registration closes at 11.59pm on June 3 at MyQurbani. 3. Cinta Gaza Malaysia (CGM) CGM is known for their Korban4Ummah programme, which last year distributed 47,736kg of meat in seven countries. This year, they offer Korban in nine countries: Sri Lanka, Uganda, Cambodia, Malawi: RM400 (cow portion), RM2,800 (whole cow) Indonesia, Malaysia, Tajikistan: RM850 (cow portion), RM5,950 (whole cow) Lebanon: RM1,500 (cow portion), RM10,500 (whole cow) Syria: RM1,700 (whole goat) Register before 11.59pm, June 4 via Korban4Ummah. 4. Amal Qurban (Yayasan Amal Malaysia) Yayasan Amal's Amal Qurban offers a mix of local and international packages. Local options include: Terengganu: RM750 (cow portion) Federal Territories/Selangor: RM800 (cow portion) Sabah: RM850 (cow portion) Perak: RM850 (cow portion), RM1,000 (buffalo portion) International options include: Africa: RM380 (cow portion), RM490 (goat), RM590 (camel portion) Pakistan: RM380 (cow portion), RM600 (goat) Cambodia: RM450 (cow portion) Bangladesh: RM380 (cow portion) Register by 11.59pm, June 3 via Amal Qurban.
