Latest news with #Korban
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cheaper, riskier, more meaningful: Why Malaysians send their Korban abroad for Aidiladha (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — More Malaysian Muslims are choosing to perform their Hari Raya Korban abroad, citing lower costs and a desire to help communities in crisis. Instead of local mosques or farms, their sacrificial meat ends up feeding families in war-torn Gaza or famine-stricken Chad. There is also an increasing number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and companies that offer end-to-end services – letting donors choose livestock, countries, and recipients with just a few clicks – and cheaper livestock prices in countries like Thailand, India and Chad than at home. Malaysian Islamic authorities also do not restrict Muslims from performing their Qurban overseas, even though it is encouraged that they do it locally. While it may be simpler on the contributor's end, the NGOs tasked with executing these sacrifices abroad often face extreme challenges, especially in conflict zones. Korban in Palestine View this post on Instagram A post shared by MyCARE (@ Muhamad Afiq Zharif Abdul Aziz, supervisor of the MyQurbani programme under Humanitarian Care Malaysia Berhad (MyCare), said part of the reason Malaysians opt to send Korban abroad because they are aware of the geopolitical situations their Muslim brethren face in their homelands, and feel a strong sympathy. Some Malaysians have even experienced the hardships first hand, and feel compelled to continue doing what they can after coming home. 'We were in the midst of buying flight tickets and accommodation before we got the call from our partners saying that they've managed to get across the border. 'So I told them to just proceed and not to wait for us and they went in and Alhamdulillah, we received confirmation from them that all of the Korban and canned beef had been successfully distributed after three days. 'They cooked some of the beef to feed the people there while the rest was given directly to the Palestinians,' he told Malay Mail in a recent interview. MyQurbani operates in 12 countries, including Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, Somalia, India and Afghanistan. The programme, which began as Qurban Kasih Ummah under Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia, was rebranded as MyQurbani in 2010. The countries are selected based on their current geopolitical situation with the three main criteria including whether the people in the country are victims of war or in a state of hunger or in extreme poverty. Last year, it distributed meat to over 17,000 families, including 6,000 Palestinian families in the West Bank and Gaza. MyQurbani programme supervisor, Muhammad Afiq Zharif Abdul Aziz sharing a selfie with some of the beneficiaries in India. — Picture courtesy of MyCare Malaysia Afiq said they were fortunate to conduct the ritual in the West Bank and Baitul Maqdis, while delivering canned and frozen beef to Gaza. These efforts were made possible through their partner, UK-based Al-Khair Foundation, which has been active in Palestine for seven years. 'Normally, getting entry into Palestine is very difficult due to extensive military checkpoints and blockades at each entry point,' said Afiq. He said Al-Khair had to build strong relationships with authorities in Jordan and Egypt to gain access. In 2024, the delivery team crossed the Jordan-Palestine border in just a few hours – a rare success. But crossing borders is only part of the challenge. Afiq said trucks carrying aid risk being attacked by illegal settlers. 'They sometimes throw objects and even homemade molotov cocktails,' he said. Despite the risks, MyQurbani plans to continue its work in Palestine as long as partners remain operational. The NGO also runs a field office in Gaza to support distribution and other humanitarian efforts. Surrounded by the hungry Volunteers from Yayasan Amal Malaysia performing Korban rites during their Amal Qurban programme. — Picture courtesy of Yayasan Amal Malaysia Another Malaysian NGO involved in overseas Korban is Yayasan Amal Malaysia. Its Amal Qurban programme runs in 15 countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh and several African nations. Operations head Umar Abdul Aziz Zaman told Malay Mail in a recent interview that participation this year is slightly lower than previous years. He said the highest response came during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, when the group sacrificed over 900 cows and nearly 2,000 goats. 'This is because our clients have given us the trust and responsibility to carry out the Korban and it is imperative that we see it through until the end. 'Only for the distribution part we will leave it to our partners,' said Umar. Unlike groups that outsource the task, Yayasan Amal sends teams of around 18 volunteers to each country. This year, Umar will again lead a team to the Republic of Chad, which continues to face instability due to inter-communal violence, civil unrest, and crime. Yayasan Amal Malaysia during their 2024 Amal Korban programme in the Republic of Chad. — Picture courtesy of Yayasan Amal Malaysia He recalled a tense moment during a previous trip when desperate villagers surrounded their team. 'At first I saw one head and just a few minutes later, more heads started to pop up from the walls – and we were technically surrounded by them. 'Things were so hectic that the police who were escorting us had to fire some warning shots in the air to disperse the crowd. 'They were the local villagers there who were waiting for their Korban meat,' he said. Despite the scare, the team completed their mission safely. To ensure smooth operations, Amal Qurban sends teams five to six months in advance to confirm logistics and verify beneficiary lists. Whether performed at home or abroad, Korban remains an act of devotion and charity. But for many Malaysian Muslims, doing it overseas allows their contributions to go further – and reach those in urgent need.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Malay Mail
Just tap to sacrifice: How online platforms are transforming Korban rites for Muslim Malaysians
KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — In today's digital world, where technology connects people across geographical borders, even performing religious rituals overseas like the Korban this Aidiladha is now a cinch. Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Malaysia have been proactive in facilitating Muslims in fulfilling their religious obligation in faraway conflict-stricken zones like Palestine – where basic necessities for survival like water, food and medicine are extremely hard to come by. For those unfamiliar, Korban – also spelt Qurban – is the Islamic ritual of animal sacrifice performed during Aidiladha to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son, symbolising devotion, charity, and faith. One such NGO is MyQurbani, a platform under MyCare Malaysia, which boasts over 4,000 Malaysian sponsors contributing to Korban overseas this year, aims to meet or surpass last year's record of 5,000 sponsors. Similarly, Amal Qurban, another NGO, is set to sacrifice around 50 cows, 90 goats, and 40 camels overseas for this year's Hari Raya Aidiladha. How the process works Malaysians, regardless of their financial capabilities, can choose to contribute either a portion or the whole cow or goat. MyQurbani offers donation packages ranging from as low as RM50 to RM2,200 for a contribution towards Korban or a whole animal, depending on the receiving country. Donors simply visit the website, select their intended country and donation package, and purchase it online. Once the donation is made, the NGO takes over, ensuring the Korban is performed on the designated day through partner NGOs in the respective countries, who then distribute the meat to the needy. According to MyQurbani supervisor Muhamad Afiq Zharif Abdul Aziz, last year, the meat was sourced in India and then processed and canned in the United Arab Emirates, before being delivered to Gaza via land transport. He added that the distribution follows a strict process, with MyCare working closely with local NGOs to create a list of eligible beneficiaries based on Zakat recipient criteria. 'Beneficiaries receive coupons before Hari Raya Aidiladha, which they use to collect their portion of the Korban meat. 'The coupons are colour-coded, catering to the varying needs of families,' Muhamad Afiq told Malay Mail. This year, MyQurbani also introduced a new package, 'Sedekah Daging Gaza', aimed at those unable to afford a full portion of a Korban cow due to its high cost. Another local NGO, Yayasan Amal Malaysia's Amal Qurban that has been offering overseas Korban services since 2004, told Malay Mail that the trend of offering Korban abroad has fluctuated over the years, with the peak during the Covid-19 pandemic. Amal Qurban operations head Umar Abdul Aziz Zaman said they have noticed a decrease in animal sacrifices this year compared to the pandemic years, but they still plan to distribute Korban across 15 countries, including Tanzania, Chad, and Nigeria. Amal Qurban allows sponsors to decide on the country for their Korban, and usually sends teams to perform the rites personally. This year, they aim to uphold trust and responsibility by conducting the religious rituals themselves, while leaving distribution to local NGOs familiar with the demographics. 'One team could consist of up to 18 volunteers who would pay for the trip themselves. 'The main reason why we opted to bring our team to do the Korban is because the donors and participants have trusted us with the responsibility of the Korban, and we must do it on our own,' said Umar.
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
From phone to fulfilment: These NGOs offer click-to-Korban services this Aidiladha
KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — With Hari Raya Aidiladha just around the corner, many Muslim Malaysians are opting to perform their Korban abroad – and several local organisations are making that easier than ever. While it is encouraged to perform the sacrificial rites locally, Islamic scholars permit Muslims to do Korban overseas, especially in areas facing conflict or poverty. Here are four NGOs and companies offering international Korban services this year. You might want to hurry, some of these programmes end at midnight today. 1. EZ Korban EZ Korban Sdn Bhd has been active since 2007 and has performed over 171,000 Korban in 40 countries. This year, they offer four packages: Korban Global: RM330 for one-seventh of a cow or RM550 for a goat, done in 37 countries (assigned by EZ Korban). Korban Lokal: RM765 per cow portion or RM999 per goat, done in selected Malaysian states. Korban Syria: RM1,500 for either a goat or a cow portion, performed in Syria. Korban Palestin: RM950 for one-seventh of a buffalo; meat is frozen and shipped into Palestine. Deadline for Korban Palestin was June 2, but registration is still open for other packages via EZ Korban's website. Korban Syria closes June 7; Korban Lokal and Global close June 8. 2. MyQurbani (MyCare Malaysia) MyQurbani is a long-running programme by MyCare, an NGO active for over 26 years. The programme was previously known as Qurban Kasih Ummah. In 2024 alone, they delivered over 1,500 livestock to 17,000 families in 11 countries, apart from Malaysia. Their 12 Aidiladha packages this year include: Malaysia: RM900 (cow portion) India: RM200 (cow portion) Nepal: RM250 (buffalo portion) Somalia: RM390 (whole goat) Afghanistan: RM440 (cow portion) Yemen: RM670 (whole goat) Lebanon (Palestinian refugees): RM1,350 (cow portion) Syria: RM1,600 (whole goat) Palestine (West Bank/Baitulmaqdis): RM2,200 (cow portion) Palestine: RM820 (canned meat), RM780 (frozen beef), RM50 (beef donation) Registration closes at 11.59pm on June 3 at MyQurbani. 3. Cinta Gaza Malaysia (CGM) CGM is known for their Korban4Ummah programme, which last year distributed 47,736kg of meat in seven countries. This year, they offer Korban in nine countries: Sri Lanka, Uganda, Cambodia, Malawi: RM400 (cow portion), RM2,800 (whole cow) Indonesia, Malaysia, Tajikistan: RM850 (cow portion), RM5,950 (whole cow) Lebanon: RM1,500 (cow portion), RM10,500 (whole cow) Syria: RM1,700 (whole goat) Register before 11.59pm, June 4 via Korban4Ummah. 4. Amal Qurban (Yayasan Amal Malaysia) Yayasan Amal's Amal Qurban offers a mix of local and international packages. Local options include: Terengganu: RM750 (cow portion) Federal Territories/Selangor: RM800 (cow portion) Sabah: RM850 (cow portion) Perak: RM850 (cow portion), RM1,000 (buffalo portion) International options include: Africa: RM380 (cow portion), RM490 (goat), RM590 (camel portion) Pakistan: RM380 (cow portion), RM600 (goat) Cambodia: RM450 (cow portion) Bangladesh: RM380 (cow portion) Register by 11.59pm, June 3 via Amal Qurban.
Rakyat Post
20-05-2025
- General
- Rakyat Post
From Chartered Accountant to Wagyu Cowboy: The Story Behind Malaysia's Mygyu Beef
Subscribe to our FREE If you think wagyu only comes from Japan, think again – because in the heart of Kuala Selangor, a local cattle farm is putting Malaysia on the premium beef map. Meet Colla Cattle Farm, the home of 'Mygyu' – our very own Malaysian version of wagyu. A recent Instagram video from food-focused page Zestie gave us a tour of the farm, led by the owner himself. With black cows grazing in the background, he broke it down for viewers: 'Wa means Japan and gyu means cow – so wagyu is basically Japan's cow. Ours is Mygyu – Malaysia's cow!' Image: instagram | @ And these aren't just any cows. He proudly introduced Dolah, a handsome six-year-old black cow with quite the backstory. Dolah was the first calf born on the farm and, according to the owner, has a 'Malaysian IC' (a funny way of saying he's local). Dolah's not just a pet – he's the farm's stud. He's also a proud dad to Ali, a chunky nine-month-old who already weighs over 280kg! READ MORE: Their wagyu cows can cost north of RM30k Now, if you're thinking 'How much do these cows go for?' – strap in. Cattle like Dolah can cost between RM30,000 to RM50,000. It's a price that's raised eyebrows, but the farm's track record speaks for itself. Over the past six years, Colla Cattle Farm has produced more than 80 premium cattle, proving there's a real appetite for homegrown wagyu. What makes them 'wagyu' comes down to a few key factors including genetics, feeding, and raising practices. Image: instagram | @ 'I still remember our first wagyu,' the owner said, grinning. 'After we slaughtered it, we were surprised—the marbling was really, really good.' Today, the farm's wagyu beef is sold in 167 outlets across Malaysia, and demand shows no signs of slowing down. The farm also provides cattle for Korban But it's not all about luxury cuts. The farm is also deeply involved in supplying cows for Korban, an important Islamic tradition where animals are sacrificed during Eid al-Adha as a form of worship and charity. The meat is then distributed among family, friends, and especially those in need. Colla Cattle Farm has five feedlots, four of which are dedicated to preparing cows for this religious observance. Their Korban cattle start at RM4,900, while premium breeds like wagyu, Angus, and Charolais are priced higher. In fact, during one Korban season, the farm pulled in a staggering RM8 million in revenue. They have a special Halal slaughter box to speed things up The owner also proudly showed off the farm's Halal slaughter box – a specially designed unit where cows are slaughtered manually (in accordance with halal requirements), and then processed using automated systems to keep things quick and efficient. In a record-breaking feat back in 2020, they managed to slaughter 799 cows in just 96 hours, all done halal. Image: instagram | @ What about their cows' diets? These bovines aren't munching on just grass. The farm creates its own livestock feed, using a blend of 13 different raw materials, ensuring the cows stay healthy and their meat stays top-notch. And here's the best part of the story: the man behind it all didn't even come from a farming background. Before cows became his business, he was a chartered accountant. Talk about a career switch! From spreadsheets to stud cows, this unlikely cattle farmer has turned a humble Malaysian farm into a wagyu-producing powerhouse. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
