Islamic Relief UK keeps the spirit of Hajj pilgrimage alive as fewer people travel to Mecca due to Covid-19

As the month of Dhul-Hijjah (Holy month of pilgrimage) begins, Islamic Relief UK is ensuring the spirit of the month continues amid the pandemic, by launching inspirational Hajj stories online and fundraising activities across the UK, while also planning to distribute Qurbani meat safely to the most vulnerable across the world.

With fewer attending Hajj (holy pilgrimage to Mecca) due to Covid-19, Islamic Relief UK and Ilmfeed have launched inspirational Hajj stories from the past with Islamic Historian, Dr Wajid Akhter, to help people reflect during the first 10 days of the holy month.

Volunteers across the UK will also help raise money for the charity, by covering 72km, the same distance walked by an average pilgrim in Mecca. They can do this by walking, jogging, cycling, or running the distance over the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah.

The first 10 days of this month are seen as the best days for spiritual reflection by Muslims. They are regarded as even better than the days of the holy month of Ramadan in which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days” (Bukhari), meaning the (first) ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

During the holy month, Muslims will prepare for the Hajj, do good deeds, fast, give to charity, remember God, think of loved ones and ask for forgiveness.

The end of Hajj is marked by Qurbani, when, every year Muslims around the world slaughter cows, goats and sheep to commemorate the sacrifice that the Prophet Ibrahim was willing to make.

The meat of the sacrificial animal is divided into three portions. At least one-third of this goes to people who are in vulnerable situations and need of assistance.

Islamic Relief will be distributing Qurbani safely during the pandemic and help feed the most vulnerable families across the world for Eid ul Adha, also called the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’, which marks day 10 of the holy month.

Last year, the charity provided quality meat to over 3 million vulnerable people across 34 countries such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Syria, as well as impoverished communities in the UK.

This year, Islamic Relief will be providing Qurbani to an estimated 2.5 million people in 30 countries around the world including, Yemen, Somalia, Gaza, Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan and India.

The charity will also be working in the UK through partnerships with mosques and community groups across the country. Vulnerable families and the homeless will be helped through partners such as Brent foodbank Sufra, food redistribution charity FareShare, mosques Green Lane Masjid and Masjid Al Falah in Birmingham as well as East London Mosque.

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said:

“As we enter the holy month of Dhul-Hijjah and reflect on our spiritual path and worship Allah, our thoughts are with the millions of people all over the world, who are in desperate need of care. Vulnerable men, women, and children are going cold, hungry, and thirsty every day.

“Dhul-Hijjah is a sacred time for Muslims; a time when we remember Allah and be the best people we can. As we reflect on the most vulnerable, we have an opportunity and duty to help raise money, reach out with charity, and provide Qurbani to help those most in need.”

Ends

Notes to editors

For any questions or to request to interview one of our spokespeople, please contact:

– Jonaid Jilani: [email protected]; 07872 403534;

– Emily Wight: [email protected]; 07710 389316.

You can donate to Islamic Relief UK’s Qurbani appeal here.

UK Qurbani meat will be supplied by Euro Quality Lambs

About Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired, development and humanitarian agency working to transform and save the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in over 40 countries. Islamic Relief assists people according to need and does not discriminate in any way.

Set up in Birmingham in 1984 by a group of volunteers, we have assisted over 117 million people all over the world. We’re saving lives and empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty in over 40 countries – from Bangladesh to Bosnia, Pakistan to Palestine, Kenya to Kosovo. Islamic Relief is on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places – including Syria and Yemen – strengthening the most marginalised communities to withstand conflict and natural disasters and to build a brighter future. We also support vulnerable people in the UK in partnership with local charities and organisations.