The word Qurban (قربان) comes from the Arabic root “Qaraba, Yaqrabu, Qurbaanan“, meaning “to draw near.” In Islamic tradition, Qurban refers to the ritual of animal sacrifice performed during Eid al-Adha, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s profound willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The essence of Qurban is both spiritual and social: it is a means of deepening one’s faith while uplifting others through shared blessings.
While rooted in ancient tradition, the values of Qurban remain deeply relevant today. At its core, it teaches humility, empathy, and selflessness, virtues needed in a world increasingly shaped by inequality and disconnection. The act of sacrificing an animal and distributing its meat is not simply a religious ritual, but a reminder of our shared responsibility to support the less fortunate.
In many communities, Qurban is a rare moment of food security. For families living in poverty, receiving Qurban meat during Eid can be one of the few times they enjoy nutritious protein throughout the year. This elevates Qurban from a personal act of devotion to a collective gesture of compassion, equity, and community care.
The distribution of Qurban meat also reflects a broader message: that access to nourishment and dignity should not be seasonal, nor selective. It invites us to reflect on systemic gaps and our roles, big or small, in bridging them.
In a time when giving can be transactional, Qurban remains a deeply symbolic, intentional form of giving. One that reminds us of faith, sacrifice, and the enduring power of shared humanity.
Qurban is more than an offering!
It is a story of obedience, love, and the enduring hope that what we give, no matter how small can ripple outward to make someone else’s life a little more whole.