Al-Azhar Mosque uses bamboo baskets to reduce plastic in Eid al-Adha meat distribution

The management of Al-Azhar Grand Mosque is using bamboo baskets to distribute sacrificial meat to the public as part of efforts to reduce plastic bag usage during the 2026 Eid al-Adha celebrations. “We are using bamboo baskets for the first phase. We have been using them for two years,” said Tatang Komara, Head of the Al-Azhar Grand Mosque Office, to journalists in Jakarta on Wednesday. Tatang stated that the mosque has been using bamboo baskets for the past two years for some recipients of sacrificial meat. He explained that the bamboo basket distribution is intended for donors and recipients near the mosque area, including officials and local residents. However, the use of bamboo baskets has not been fully implemented due to considerations of distance and packaging conditions. “For those living far away, to avoid blood and other issues, we still use plastic bags,” he said. He added that the committee avoids black plastic bags in line with local government recommendations, opting instead for white or red plastic bags. In addition to eco-friendly distribution, the Al-Azhar Eid committee has also introduced a delivery system to prevent crowds during meat distribution. “We now operate on a door-to-door basis, delivering directly,” he said. Under this system, sacrificial meat is delivered directly to government offices, Islamic boarding schools, social welfare institutions, and pre-approved community members. The sacrificial meat is processed and packaged by the committee before distribution, which is scheduled after the Dhuhr prayer. A team of 15 butchers and around 25 internal committee members are handling the slaughtering, cutting, and distribution of sacrificial meat. The sacrificial meat will be distributed to various boarding schools, welfare institutions, teachers, staff, congregants, and partner villages, including beyond Java Island.