Lanao Muslims Celebrates Eid Al-Adha with Eid Charity Foundation

By Jun Enriquez

Goat slaughtering for the Eid Al-Adha festivities. 

 Balo-i, Lanao del Norte - After the month of Ramadan, “Eid Al-Adha” was celebrated by the Filipino Muslims in Lanao del Norte with the Muslims around the world. Aleem Zainodin Lomala, Executive Director of the Uthman Bin Affan Foundation (UBAF) said that “Eid Al-Adha” is known as "Festival of the Sacrifice" and also called the "Sacrifice Feast", is the second of two Muslim holidays celebrated worldwide each year and considered the holier of the two.  Eid Al-Adha is an Islamic festival to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim (also known as Abraham) to follow Allah's (God's) command to sacrifice his son Ismael.

Aleem Lomala said that “Eid Al-Adha” was celebrated after the month of Ramadan. The Ramadan starts at the beginning of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Because Islam observes a lunar calendar, the official beginning occurs at different times around the globe, based on when the crescent moon is first seen. The lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar.

Aleem Lomala said Ramadan is a month of heightened devotion, a time that the doors of heaven are kept open, and the doors of hell are closed, and Satan is kept in chains. Muslims go through a period of intense reflection and devotion, seeking guidance and forgiveness. Muslims practice “sawm”, or fasting, during the entire month. This means they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Married adults also refrain from marital relations during the hours of fasting (i.e. the daylight hours). 

He said one of the most important aspects of the Ramadan fast is called niyyah. Niyyah literally means "intention." Muslims must not simply or accidentally abstain from food; they must achieve the requirement of niyyah. To achieve this requirement, a Muslim must "intend in heart that [the fast] is meant to be a worship for Allah alone." So, if someone fasts for political or dietary reasons, he would not achieve niyyah. In fact, according to scripture, "Whoever does not make niyyah before dawn, would not have fasted." The determination to fast is equal in importance to the fast itself.

2nd from left, Aleem Lomala supervised the slaughtering 

Other duties include five daily prayers and the recitation of the Taraweeh prayer, or Night prayer. At mosques during Ramadan, about one-thirtieth of the Quran is recited in prayers called tarawih. By the end of Ramadan, the entire Quran has been recited. It’s also intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate. Muslims often donate to charities during the month and feed the hungry. Ramadan celebrated for 29 or 30 days.

At left, Aleem Lomala gave goat meat to PWD person.

Aleem Lomala said In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the 12th month and lasts for four days until the 13th day. The exact date and timing of the occasion varies on the positioning of the moon at the beginning of the Islamic calendar month, better known as Dhu’l-Hijjah. As a result of this, Eid Al-Adha often falls on different days around the world depending on the location and region.

On September 12, 2016, Eid Al-Adha was celebrated in some Barangays in the municipalities of Lanao del Norte initiated by the Uthman Bin Affan Foundation (UBAF) headed by its Executive Director Aleem Zainodin Omar Lomala, together with his staff initiated a project named  “Qurban” or “Qurbani”.

There were identified Barangays in Lanao del Norte for the project benefited the goat assistance slaughtered for the celebrations, these were the Barangays of Maria Cristina, Balo-i with two groups at 6 goats per group or there were 12 goats for the two groups; Matampay , Pantao Ragat with 16 goats; Nunungan, Poona Piagapo with 4 goats; and Denaig, Poona Piagapo with 15 goats. A total of 47 goats slaughtered during the festivities.

The goats will be slaughtered by a knife but before slaughtering, it recommends to recite verses 6:79 , 6:162 and 6:163 (Al-naam-The Cattle) with the addition "Allahumma minka walaka" ( O Allah you gave it to me and I offer it to you) after slaughtering the animal, it has to be placed down very gently on its left side, while the throat facing qiblah.

The meat will be given to the families, relatives, friends and the other residents of the place. Both family and community will cook the meat. The cooked meat will be eaten by the families but others celebrated it by eating with the company of their relatives and friends as an enjoyment and camaraderie for the celebration.

The total cost of the slaughtered goats was approximately 170,000.00 pesos only. The source of funds for the project was coming from the Sheikh Eid Bin Mohammad Al Thani Charitable Association, a non-government organization (NGO) and considered to be one of the largest charitable organizations in the Middle East, was established in 1995 in Doha, Qatar.

 

The association is alternatively known as the Sheikh Eid bin Mohammad Al Thani Charitable Organization, or the Eid Charity Foundation, was named after his Excellency Sheikh Eid Ibn Mohammad ibn Thani ibn Jasim ibn Mohammad Al Thani. Its mission, as described by the Gulf Times, is “to execute charitable and benevolent projects, develop volunteer work, and preserve noble values through skilled human resources, dynamic administrative systems and strategic organization.”

The UTHMAN BIN AFFAN FOUNDATION is a non-stock organization, non-profit organization registered from the Government in which it helps a diversity of people like giving donations for the people in time of need. Its vision, A charitable Organization leading and seeks to fulfill its mission and perform through the advocacy of Development, Relief, and education for the Islamic peoples; Fulfill needs through Comprehensive sustainability with the partnership of others and looking toward leadership and excellence. Its mission, Work with the leaders in all fields of development with the advocacy of Relief and Education for Muslim countries. Director Aleem Lomala said the coverage of UTHMAN BIN AFFAN FOUNDATION is majority concentrated in the area of MINDANAO. The foundation has branches in Ilo-ilo, Cebu, Tawi-tawi and Jolo.

Aleem Lomala extended his thanks to the Eid Charity Foundation for the financial assistance they turned over to UBAF as well as for the long standing partnership for many worthy causes. He said “Donors like you provide us the financial and moral support we needed in order to continue our mission as a Foundation. Your support has repeatedly played a key role in our success in providing and sharing blessings in the Holy month of Ramadhan and in bringing love and happiness in celebrating Eid Al-Adha.” He also extended his thanks to his staff in the UBAF for their skills and enthusiasm showed for the realization and success of the Eid Al-Adha celebrations to the communities.

Aleem Lomala added “To our brothers and sisters in Islam thank you for the warm welcome, cooperation and for showing us the hospitality as we visited and conducted the Qurbani in your barangays. To our Almighty ALLAH, the beginning and end of all things, we only stand on what we are today because you called us to enter and guide us on our way. Thank you for the Blessings and oppurtunities.” In praising he said “ALL GLORY IS OFFERED BACK IN YOU 'YA ALLAH. Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu." Photos by Jun Pacapat