The Only Day They Eat Meat

Dr. Adil Muhammad

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Every year, as Eid-ul-Adha approaches, millions of Muslims around the world prepare to fulfill the act of Qurbani; the sacrifice of a cattle in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s unwavering faith. In bustling cities and remote villages alike, this event brings families together in prayer, celebration, and reflection.

But for millions living in poverty, Eid is not a time of feasting but it’s another day of surviving. For them, the idea of having meat on the table is not a festive luxury; it’s a distant dream.

In Pakistan, this gap between tradition and reality is being bridged year after year by Alkhidmat Foundation, one of the country’s largest and most known humanitarian organizations. Through its Qurbani Project, Alkhidmat is turning faith into food, and compassion into tangible relief, by distributing fresh meat to hundreds of thousands of families who would otherwise go without.

Qurbani, meaning “sacrifice,” is more than just a religious obligation. It is a symbol of devotion, submission, and generosity. Traditionally, the meat from sacrificed cattle is divided into three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for those in need.

Alkhidmat Foundation has elevated this last portion, the share for the needy, into a national movement. Alkhidmat’s annual Qurbani campaign is designed not only to fulfill religious duty on behalf of donors, but also to ensure that the most vulnerable segments of society are not forgotten during one of Islam’s mega festivals.

Every Eid-ul-Adha, Alkhidmat volunteers and staff carry out mass-scale slaughtering operations under strict Shariah-compliant practices. The meat is then hygienically packaged and distributed across Pakistan, from urban slums to remote, underserved communities in deserts, mountains, and flood-prone regions.

What makes Alkhidmat’s Qurbani initiative unique is its targeted approach. It prioritizes those who are most often overlooked; orphans, widows, transgender individuals, daily wage laborers, the elderly, and people with disabilities. These are people who not only struggle to celebrate Eid, but often struggle just to survive.

In areas where floods have wiped out livelihoods, or where conflict has displaced entire families, Alkhidmat’s volunteers arrive like clockwork during Eid, bearing not just meat parcels but hope. The distributions are carried out with care and discretion, respecting the dignity of every recipient.

Alkhidmat Foundation’s reputation for transparency and operational excellence has made it a trusted partner for donors inside and outside Pakistan. The foundation follows a strict ethical protocol throughout the Qurbani process; from cattle selection and slaughter to packaging and delivery.

Donors are given multiple options to contribute: they can sponsor full cattle or a share in larger cattle like a cow. The foundation offers timely updates and detailed reporting, reinforcing trust and accountability. With options to donate both online and through local chapters, the process is streamlined for global participation.

Importantly, the foundation ensures that every donation is stretched to reach the maximum number of people, with no compromise on hygiene, ethics, or quality.

Beyond the physical distribution, the Qurbani program plays a powerful emotional role. It reconnects communities.

For recipients, it is about more than just eating. It is about being seen. Being included. Being part of the collective joy that Eid-ul-Adha represents.

For givers, the act of donating to Alkhidmat’s Qurbani project transforms ritual into real impact. It becomes a way to live out the true spirit of sacrifice: sharing what one has with those who need it most.

As a fact. Pakistan continues to grapple with economic instability, inflation, climate-induced disasters, and growing food insecurity. The World Food Programme estimates that over 36% of Pakistanis face moderate to severe food insecurity, with vulnerable populations often relying on external aid.

In this environment, programs like Alkhidmat’s Qurbani initiative are not just helpful; they are essential.

With global interest in impactful, transparent giving on the rise, this initiative offers a simple yet powerful opportunity: donate your Qurbani through Alkhidmat, and your sacrifice feeds entire families.

It brings joy to a child who hasn’t had a proper meal in weeks. It brings relief to a mother who had nothing to serve on Eid. It brings dignity to a community that is too often left behind.

In a world where so many go hungry, the ritual of Qurbani offers a timeless lesson: that true faith is expressed through compassion, and that celebration means little if it’s not shared.

Alkhidmat Foundation has created a system where this sacred tradition does more than fulfill religious obligation; it becomes a force for justice, mercy, and hope.

As the Eid-ul-Adha approaches, donors around the world are encouraged to consider making their Qurbani count, not just as an act of worship, but as an act of humanity.

Because for hundreds of thousands in Pakistan, that one meal may not just be part of Eid.
It may be Eid itself.

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