Gibran's Limousin Sacrificial Cow Arrives at Istiqlal Mosque, Weighing 1.2 Tonnes

JAKARTA — A sacrificial cow belonging to Vice President (Wapres) Gibran Rakabuming Raka has arrived at Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, 26 May 2026 afternoon. Mas’ud Halimin, chairman of the Istiqlal Mosque Qurban Committee, said the sacrificial cow donated by Gibran is a Limousin breed. ‘It’s a Limousin from the Vice President, weighing 1.2 tonnes,’ Mas’ud told Kompas.com at Istiqlal Mosque on Tuesday afternoon. Kompas.com observed the sacrificial cow placed in a special tent on the western courtyard of Istiqlal Mosque. That tent is specifically erected each year to house the sacrificial cows of the President and Vice President of Indonesia. Between 12:00 and 13:00 WIB, Gibran’s sacrificial cow was seen resting seated. Occasionally, the light brown male cow would stand up and graze on the grass provided by the mosque committee. In addition to grass, drinking water was also available in the tent. Meanwhile, as of 13:00 WIB, President Prabowo Subianto’s sacrificial cow for Istiqlal Mosque had not yet arrived. If it arrives, President Prabowo’s sacrificial cow will be placed in a tent adjacent to the Vice President’s. The slaughter of the President and Vice President’s sacrificial cows will take place on Thursday, 28 May 2026, one day after Eid al-Adha, which falls on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. To ensure the cows remain healthy before slaughter, the Istiqlal Mosque Qurban Committee has deployed specialised livestock experts. This measure is to monitor their health, control their diet and hydration, and administer vitamins to maintain their condition. ‘We have hired five people specifically for this. There is also a veterinary team that regularly checks the health of the sacrificial animals,’ Mas’ud said. ‘This includes the President’s, Vice President’s, and all other sacrificial cows entering Istiqlal. These breeders are experienced. Insha’Allah, we will provide the best care to prevent stress in the animals,’ he added. The committee continues to accept sacrificial animals, both cows and goats, until Wednesday evening.