Human Initiative Launches 'Early Bird' Qurban Programme

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The humanitarian organisation, Human Initiative, has relaunched its ‘Early Bird’ Qurban programme as an effort to expand the benefits of Qurban (sacrificial meat) for those in need, both within and outside the country.

“We are presenting the Early Bird Qurban so that prospective participants can prepare for their religious observance earlier with careful planning and expand the benefits for those in need,” said the Leader Squad Qurban Human Initiative, M. Rijalul Afif, in a written statement in Jakarta, Thursday.

The programme is being launched amidst continued limited access to nutritious food in several regions of the world.

Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for the period 2021–2023 shows that many families, especially in low-income areas, are unable to regularly access animal protein.

“So this programme can make it easier for people to fulfil their Qurban obligations,” said Rijalul.

In some areas, he said, per capita meat consumption is only in the single-digit kilograms per year. This condition confirms that meat is still a luxury item for some people, especially those living in remote areas, conflict zones, or disaster-affected areas.

Through this scheme, people are given the opportunity to secure sacrificial animals earlier while also helping the organisation to manage the procurement and distribution process more systematically.

Currently, the ‘Early Bird’ Qurban programme offers a 1/7 share of a cow scheme at a special price, from the normal price of around IDR 1,900,000 to IDR 1,447,000.

“This scheme still meets Islamic requirements and animal health standards. Thus, people have a more affordable option for performing the Qurban without reducing the value of worship,” said Rijalul.

In addition, the distribution of Qurban is focused on areas in Indonesia that are difficult to reach, including remote areas and eastern Indonesia. The distribution also reaches people in several countries in Africa as well as other regions that are facing conflict, disaster, and humanitarian crises.

“This targeted distribution is expected to ensure that the benefits of Qurban are truly received by the most needy groups,” he said.

Rijalul emphasised that every stage of the Qurban implementation is managed as a trust. From the selection of animals that comply with Islamic law, the slaughtering process, to the distribution, it is carried out with careful planning so that it runs properly, transparently, and responsibly.

“Through a collaborative approach, this organisation invites the public to make Qurban not just an annual ritual, but also part of a social solution in expanding access to food,” he said.

Rijalul hopes that public participation will be even wider and that the Qurban worship can be carried out more easily and have a greater impact.

Further information about this programme can be accessed through the website solusipeduli.org/earlybirdqurban.