This year, the spirit of Eid al-Adha shone brightly for families in Afghanistan, as Islamic Relief’s qurbani meat distribution programme brought them joy and much-needed support.
In June, Islamic Reliefdistributed fresh meat packs to 5,765 families across 4 Afghan provinces: Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar.
52-year-old-Qayoom lives in the heart of Jalalabad, east Afghanistan. He faces daily challenges, including a visual impairment that hinders his ability to find consistent work.
“I cannot get a proper job due to my visual disability,” Qayoom explains. “My son works in a local hotel but only earns 200 Afghanis (approximately £2) on the days he finds work. That’s around 6,000 Afghanis a month. From that, we pay 2,000 Afghanis in rent. The rest goes to food and other essentials. It’s a daily struggle to make ends meet.”
With 6 people in the household and only irregular income, the family has had to make difficult choices.
“We haven’t bought meat in over 5 months,” says Qayoom. “It costs 500 Afghanis (approximately £5) per kg, and I just can’t afford it. We can’t even think about it, especially when there are other things to take care of — food, clothes and medicine.”
The meat pack Qayoom received from Islamic Relief was the first time his family was able to eat meat after 5 months
Qayoom also struggles with his health. The doctors have recommended kidney surgery, but treatment is far beyond the family’s financial reach. “Our ability to afford enough food, or get proper medical care is very limited,” he says quietly.
‘We savoured every bite with joy’
For Qayoom, Eid al-Adha has always carried deep spiritual meaning. But without the means to perform qurbani or celebrate as others do, the holiday often quietly passes his family by.
“Eid al-Adha means a lot to us — it’s part of our faith. Those who have money can offer qurbani, but for people like me and many other low-income families, it’s just not possible,” he explains.
The meat pack Qayoom received from Islamic Relief was joyfully received. “I got 5kg of fresh meat. My family yearned for the taste of meat. We savoured every bite with joy. Thank you.”
‘Some nights, my children go to bed hungry’
In Bamyan province, 38-year-old Atika faces similar hardships. She lives with her husband and 7 children in the caves of Sang-e-Chaspan, where conditions are harsh throughout the year. Her husband works as a daily labourer but struggles to find regular work.
“In a good month, my husband earns about 5,000 Afghanis (approximately £52), but there are many days when he finds no work at all. Some nights, my children go to bed hungry. We do our best, but it’s a constant struggle,” Atika shares.
Meat is a rare part of Atika’s family diet. “I honestly can’t remember the last time we had meat, and most of the time, we can only eat bread, without any lentils. When the kids ask for meat, I don’t know how to respond,” she says.
Atika’s family lives in extremely difficult conditions. “We live in a cave, with no insulation against cold or the heat. We can’t always afford clean water, school supplies, or even medicine when the kids are sick,” she says. “But we try to stay hopeful and pray for better days.”
‘This meat will give us nutritious food for at least 3 nights’
Like Qayoom, Atika’s Eid was transformed by Islamic Relief’s qurbani distribution.
“Today, I picked up the 5kg meat pack, and my children were full of excitement. They kept talking about the meal we’d have together.
“This meat will give us nutritious food for at least 3 nights. It brought joy and hope to our home.”
This year, our qurbani distribution programme reached over 40,000 individuals in Afghanistan, with preference given to the most vulnerable — families with disabilities, widows, internally displaced people, female-headed households, and others living in extreme poverty.
Islamic Relief is committed to ensuring those in need can celebrate Eid and beyond with dignity, high-quality nutrition, and a sense of belonging.
Your continued support for Islamic Relief brings hope to those who need it most. Donate today to ensure that no family is left behind in Afghanistan and beyond.
