Istiqlal Mosque distributes sacrificial meat to Islamic boarding schools and partner institutions

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Religious Affairs and Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque Nasaruddin Umar said this year’s distribution of sacrificial meat from Istiqlal Mosque is focused on Islamic boarding schools, orphanages, Islamic higher education institutions, and Istiqlal’s partner institutions.

‘Here, we are not distributing directly to the public. Direct assistance is provided to the best-registered Islamic boarding schools, where the animals will be slaughtered,’ he stated in a Jakarta statement on Tuesday.

He explained the distribution method was chosen to ensure orderly, safe, and precise delivery of sacrificial meat. This avoids direct distribution at Istiqlal Mosque to prevent risks such as scuffles, pushing, and crowd congestion.

‘In the past, this happened, but many problems arose—pushing, scuffling, and so on. Some even fainted. So we chose the safest method,’ he said.

‘Not a single drop of blood or waste enters the river. Everything is managed with a proper system,’ he added.

Istiqlal has modern, hygienic slaughter facilities with high capacity. Multiple slaughter points can operate simultaneously, handling up to 200 animals per day.

Umar confirmed all slaughter waste is properly managed to avoid environmental contamination around the mosque.

Nasaruddin Umar stated that the Eid al-Adha 1447 AH observance at Istiqlal Mosque carries the theme ‘Spirit of Sacrifice Caring for Nature and Humanity’, which aligns with the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ broader themes on eco-theology and theology of love.