As part of the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, local NGO Awqaf SA, in partnership with Diyanet, the religious body of Türkiye, is in the process of delivering meat packs to vulnerable communities after successfully completing the three-day Qurbani sacrifice. This food security and religious initiative aims to feed thousands of people in Cape Town, Northern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Johannesburg, Namibia, and Mozambique.

This year, Awqaf SA and its partners have sacrificed up to 120 tonnes of meat, involving over 600 animals, targeting close to 200,000 people directly. Eid al-Adha commemorates the event when the prophet Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice his son, Isma’il. At the last moment, a ram was substituted in Isma’il’s place. The tradition of Qurbani, or sacrifice, is rooted in this historical incident and involves donating meat to the needy and the poor annually.

The Qurbani coincides with the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, where over 1 million pilgrims follow in the tradition of Prophet Abraham, re-enacting the struggles of his wife Hagar, a woman from Africa, and her son Ismael. As part of their devotions, many pilgrims also sacrifice an animal on behalf of the poor.

This year, members of the Imam Development Programme, a venture supported by Awqaf SA and Mercy Mission South Africa, assisted with the logistics of delivering the meat packs in South Africa. The programme aims to develop dynamic and inspirational imams in communities across the country.

For the 12th consecutive year, Diyanet, Türkiye’s top religious body, works with Awqaf SA and its partners. “Joining forces with the South African team during this year’s Qurbani was a profound honour,” stated Mufti Mustafa Baytar of Ankara, who represented Diyanet in the operations. He expressed pride in strengthening the fraternal ties between Turkey and South Africa and emphasised the shared commitment to aiding the vulnerable. “It’s a privilege to reinforce these universal bonds through our care for the less fortunate in South Africa and worldwide.” This year, Diyanet has expanded its Qurbani operations to over 80 countries, affirming its dedication to social welfare and efforts to uplift communities globally.

“Once again, it is a deep honour for Türkiye to contribute meaningfully to South Africa,” declared His Excellency Mr. Sinan Yesildag, the inaugural Turkish Consul General in Cape Town. He highlighted the longstanding solidarity with South Africa and expressed Türkiye’s commitment to assisting in any way possible. Reflecting on historical ties, he noted, “Our efforts continue the relationship established by the first Turkish emissary, Shaykh Abu Bakr Effendi, sent here in 1863, who founded multi-racial and special schools for females.” Mr. Yesildag emphasised the power of collaboration in fostering positive change and improving opportunities for the people of South Africa, considering it a privilege to contribute to this significant endeavour.

“Awqaf SA is once again privileged to collaborate with our brothers and sisters at Diyanet Vakfi Türkiye,” stated Mickaeel Collier, CEO of Awqaf SA. He highlighted the

plight of many in sub-Saharan Africa who, despite fertile lands, face food insecurity due to economic inequalities. “This humble initiative aids communities significantly,” Collier remarked.

Expressing his gratitude towards the Turkish nation, Collier noted their extraordinary generosity even amidst their own country’s economic challenges. “Despite their own challenges, Türkiye has shown unwavering solidarity with vulnerable communities in Africa, especially in Southern Africa,” he said. This act of kindness not only underscores Türkiye’s magnanimity but also cements its status as the world’s leading humanitarian donor, consistently recognized by the United Nations. Collier praised Türkiye’s compassion and commitment to making a significant impact on the lives of those in need. “It is a sobering thought for us to realise that for many people, it will probably be the only time they will be able to consume red meat in the year. We hope and pray that our efforts will help to lift their spirits,” he said.

Collier further paid tribute to the Awqaf SA staff, volunteers, and other local partners across the region for helping with the logistics of this year’s Qurbani in Southern Africa, including members from Mercy Mission South Africa’s Imam Development Programme, Omeed in Mozambique, and many others across the region.