Qurbani Meat at Islamic Relief

Qurbani means sacrifice and is an act of worship that takes place during the holy month of Dhul Hijjah, during the days of Tashreeq (11th, 12th and 13th of Dhul Hijjah). It is an act beloved to Allah (SWT), therefore it is important that one offers the best possible offering.

What meat does Islamic Relief use for Qurbani?

Islamic Relief carries out Qurbanis of sheep, goats and cows. In general, a sheep or goat is considered as one Qurbani, while a cow is divided into 7 shares and each share is considered one Qurbani. 

In most countries, we provide fresh Qurbani meat to vulnerable families, as animals are purchased and slaughtered locally.

 

However, in countries such as Jordan where fresh Qurbani is significantly more expensive, animals are slaughtered in Europe and shipped ready for distribution from the third day of Eid onwards. Offering chilled Qurbani meat in these countries enables us to offer a much more cost-effective alternative, without compromising on quality.

Can you eat the Qurbani meat you donate?

Here at Islamic Relief, all three portions of meat delivered through our Quality Assured Qurbani programme are distributed to those in need, whether that is in the UK or across the globe. Therefore, it isn’t possible to eat the Qurbani meat you donate. 

We have a scoring system in place to select those most in need, and for many families, the Qurbani meat you donate is the only meat they will eat in the whole year. 

 

Qurbani Distribution Qurbani Programme 2022 in Pakistan. We are reaching out to more than 33,000 families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Balochistan, and Sindh.

In the UK, all Qurbanis are carried out by partner organisations to ensure compliance with food, health and safety standards.

Across the globe, our teams on the ground are extremely busy with slaughtering the animals, dividing them, packing the meat, transporting it to villages and distributing the Qurbani packages to the most vulnerable families.

Is it compulsory to give Qurbani meat?

According to the Hanafi madhab, Qurbani is compulsory for every sane adult Muslim male/female who has wealth in excess of his/her needs. If you’re eligible to pay Zakat, then you’re also obliged to give Qurbani.

The conditions and rules of Qurbani vary among other schools of thought (Madhab), so if you’re unsure of whether you must give Qurbani meat, please consult your local Imam. 

It is not compulsory to give all of your Qurbani meat to those in need, and traditionally Qurbani meat is donated into three shares: One part for oneself and family, one part to extended family and friends, and one part to those in need. 

Here at Islamic Relief, we donate all three of your shares to those in need, which helps earn great rewards and the pleasure of Allah (SWT). This also helps to bring joy to as many families in need as possible on Eid al-Adha, and allows them to celebrate the day free from worrying about how to feed their children.

The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity

Hadith | Tirmidhi

Islamic Relief Qurbani meat process

Islamic Relief is one of the largest international organisations carrying out Qurbani. Our Quality Assured Qurbani programme has been running for over 30 years. In that time, we’ve developed an efficient, cost-effective and reliable process that consists of:

Prioritising those most in need

We prioritise the most vulnerable families when distributing Qurbani. Our rigorous animal selection criteria makes sure families receive the highest quality meat possible.

Quality is key

Qurbani requires good quality, healthy animals. We apply best practice criteria so the animals are:

  • of the type required by Shariah.
  • at least one year old.
  • free from any apparent defects that would make them unfit for human consumption.
  • humanely transported to the slaughterhouse and humanely slaughtered.

Best practice also means all meat is handled hygienically, from the carcass right through packing and distribution to families.

We handle animals with care

Islamic Relief also makes sure that animals are transported and slaughtered humanely in accordance with Islamic guidelines.

And, as we manage the whole transportation and logistics network, we make certain that everything complies with shariah and that all meat is handled, packed and distributed with strict hygiene standards in place.

Ensuring cost efficiency

We source a country’s own produce for Qurbani wherever we can – so our prices reflect local prices.

This is usually the cheapest way to carry out your Qurbani and it minimises the carbon footprint. Buying from the local community helps local traders and farmers, as well as the local economy.

Your money goes further with Islamic Relief because we don’t spend money on importing, unless we cannot avoid it.

Your Qurbani helps bring joy to families in need, and provides them with food for several days. It’s a treat for those who rarely get to eat meat, and provides a good source of protein. It also allows them to celebrate Eid without worrying about where their next meal is coming from.

Qurbani resources

Give qurbani 2024
Prophetic qurbani 2024
Quality Assured qurbani
What is qurbani?
Who is qurbani compulsory on?
Qurbani rules
Duas for qurbani
Qurbani meat at Islamic Relief
Qurbani rules for a family
Qurbani rules for husband and wife
Dhul Hijjah – The 10 best days
The Day of ‘Arafah
Fasting in Dhul Hijjah
Duas for Dhul Hijjah
Eid al-Adha 2024
What is Eid qurbani?
Sunnah acts for Eid al-Adha
Can I cut my hair and nails before qurbani?
Prophet Adam (AS) and the first sacrifice
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his sacrifice
Sadaqah sacrifice
new director

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Nadeem Azhar

General Counsel

Nadeem joined Islamic Relief Worldwide in September 2022. He has worked in the charitable sector for over a decade.

He studied Modern History and Politics at Manchester University, and at the University of Law in London before qualifying as a solicitor in 2011.

Nadeem is an experienced corporate, commercial and governance lawyer, having worked with various faith-based and grant making charities as well those in health and education settings. He was a partner at a law firm in London before moving in-house where he focused on setting up and restructuring charities and social enterprises.

Most recently, Nadeem was Lead Counsel at Mind, a leading mental health charity, where he co-authored a new federation agreement, revamped legal processes, and played a major role in developing its strategic and fundraising partnerships.

Nadeem has been a charity trustee for the Seafarers Charity, as well as many grant-making bodies and theatre companies.

Adnan Hafiz

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Board of Directors
Javed Akhtar

Director of Finance

Javed Akhtar has more than a decade of experience at Islamic Relief, having worked in a similar role between 2003-2014. In that role he strove to implement wide-ranging financial and accounting processes which aided in the transparent nature in which Islamic Relief now operates.

Javed also has diverse experience across the private sector, having worked at American chemicals and pharmaceutical giant DuPont, shipping firm FedEX and technology consultancy company Accenture. In all his roles, he prioritises using the latest technologies to improve monitoring and reporting at every level. Javed’s commitment to embracing digital end-to-end technology, enhancing accountability to our stakeholders and promoting financial transparency is ensuring that we remain at the forefront of financial developments in the sector.

By training, Javed is a chartered accountant with a Master’s degree in NGO Management with Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Cass Business School.
Board of Directors
Affan Cheema  

Director of International Programmes

Affan Cheema is an experienced leader who has spent 25 years working in the international aid sector on poverty eradication in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He has worked in fast onset emergencies, protracted crisis and development environments whilst working for Islamic Relief Worldwide and Care International. He is also a trustee of South West International Development Network (SWIDN).

Through his career Affan has held numerous roles including institutional fundraising, programme and grant management, and programme quality assurance.  Affan’s leadership has helped Islamic Relief Worldwide secure the highly coveted Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), seen as the sector’s premier benchmark for operational excellence.

Affan completed his BA in Economics and Geography from University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) and his MSc in Development Administration and Planning from the University of Bristol. He is PRINCE2 qualified, is a keen sportsman and recently co-edited a book entitled -Islam and International Development: Insights for working with Muslim Communities-.
Board of Directors
Dr Hossam Said

Managing Director, Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD)

For nearly three decades Dr Hossam has provided the strategic vision to manage, lead and develop a range of international humanitarian interventions around the world.

At the start of his career, Dr Hossam served on the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, before moving to Islamic Relief Worldwide to manage the core global business activities as International Programmes Director.

During this time the organisation increased its global reach, gaining both domestic and international repute and credibility. Dr Hossam has also served on the Islamic Relief Worldwide Board of Management and Executive Committee for the past 15 years; sharing responsibility for strategic organisational development and the change management process, whilst forging strong relationships with many other charities.

Dr Hossam gained an MBA from Aston Business School in 2004 and graduated as a Medical Doctor from Cairo University in 1981.
Board of Directors
Martin Cottingham  

Director of External Relations and Advocacy

Martin Cottingham joined Islamic Relief in 2012 as IRUK Media Relations Manager, and was appointed Head of Communications in 2015 before taking up his current position as Director of External Relations and Advocacy for Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Martin has helped Islamic Relief to increase its mainstream media profile and expand its campaigning work, producing hard-hitting advocacy reports on floods in Pakistan (2011) famine in Somalia (2012) disaster risk reduction (2013) and aid to Afghanistan (2014). He has over 20 years’ experience working in media, communications and marketing roles for international development and environmental charities.

Martin graduated from the University of London with a degree in English and Drama (1982-85) then trained as a journalist with a postgraduate diploma at City University (1986-87). He has previously worked for Christian Aid as Editor of Christian Aid News and Media Relations Manager (1988-97) for Oxfam as Regional Campaigns Manager (1997-2000) and at the Soil Association as Marketing Director (2001-2006), as well as working for a wide range of organisations as a freelance writer, researcher and communications consultant.

Tufail Hussain

Director of Islamic Relief UK

Tufail Hussain has 17 years’ experience in the humanitarian and development sector, leading on marketing and fundraising campaigns for several organisations before joining Islamic Relief UK in 2016 as Deputy Director. Tufail was appointed Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2019 and in 2021 provided valuable leadership as interim CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Tufail is driven by a passion for empowering disadvantaged youth and mentors a number of young people. He also works to strengthen engagement between British Muslims and wider society. Under his leadership, Islamic Relief UK has significantly increased its income and developed successful partnerships with communities across the country. He has travelled around the world to raise awareness of major emergencies such as the Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan crises and the floods in Pakistan and Sudan.

A father to 5 daughters and a son, Tufail is also a sports enthusiast and passionate Liverpool FC supporter. Tufail has run the London Marathon twice, raising over £35,000 for humanitarian causes.

Before joining Islamic Relief he was CEO of Orphans in Need, where he oversaw a new strategy that increased income from £2 million to £9 million in 3 years and opened up new UK and international offices. Tufail is also a trustee of the Muslim Charities Forum and a Director of TIC International (Islamic Relief Worldwide’s clothes recycling and trading arm).
Waseem Ahmad

Chief Executive Officer

Waseem Ahmad joined the Islamic Relief family over 24 years ago, serving as Programme Officer in the Balochistan province of south-western Pakistan before becoming Head of Programmes in Pakistan. Waseem then moved to Oxfam and Tearfund before returning to Islamic Relief to establish our mission in Malawi. Later serving as Head of Programme Funding and Partnerships, Waseem led the response to major crises across the globe, including the East Africa drought, Pakistan earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Waseem then served for nearly 6 years as our Director of International Programmes, during which time the charity secured and retained the coveted Core Humanitarian Standard certification in recognition of the quality of our programming. He was appointed CEO of Islamic Relief in May 2021.

With a special interest in community mobilisation and infrastructure, Waseem received an MSc in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford, as well as an MSc in Economics from Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Waseem has also worked for Lepra Health in Action and is a member of the International Civil Society Centre’s Board of Trustees. The father-of-3 enjoys walking and playing football, and is a keen birdwatcher.