Not Just Meat Distribution: Sacrifice is an Economic Empowerment Instrument
BAZNAS has positioned the sacrificial ritual as an economic empowerment tool for the community while strengthening rural welfare, according to BAZNAS Chairman Sodik Mudjahid during the symbolic launch of the 2026 Blessed Sacrifice Empowering Villages programme in Sayana Village, Jalaksana District, Kuningan Regency, on Wednesday (27 May).
Same activities were conducted simultaneously across Indonesia. Sacrificial slaughter took place at 103 BAZNAS livestock centres spread across 15 provinces.
“The Blessed Sacrifice Empowering Villages programme is BAZNAS’s commitment to using the sacrificial ritual as an economic empowerment instrument for the community and strengthening rural welfare,” said Sodik.
Through the programme, BAZNAS optimises the livestock value chain by preparing 3,359 local male breeding livestock managed directly by 2,089 supervised farmers across various regions.
“Ultimately, all BAZNAS programmes aim to empower the community. As the majority Muslim population in Indonesia, our economic contribution still needs strengthening,” Sodik explained.
Beyond economic aspects, he noted the programme also supports food security and assists in meeting nutritional needs, particularly for underprivileged families, pregnant women, and children.
Sodik also stressed the programme serves as BAZNAS’s active contribution to strengthening a productive, self-reliant, and sustainable livestock ecosystem for the community.
“We hope this livestock-based empowerment programme will produce self-reliant beneficiaries capable of improving their welfare. We also extend our appreciation and thanks to the Regent of Kuningan and his team, the Regional House of Representatives, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya as a partner, and all stakeholders who have supported BAZNAS’s empowerment programmes,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kuningan Regent Dian Rachmat Yanuar praised BAZNAS, stating that the Blessed Sacrifice Empowering Villages programme initiated by BAZNAS aligns well with Kuningan’s ongoing challenges of poverty and unemployment above the West Java average.
“This programme is not merely a religious ritual but a community empowerment instrument to boost economic capacity. With increased economic capacity, God willing, welfare will improve,” said Dian.
According to Dian, the Blessed Sacrifice Empowering Villages programme exemplifies how the sacrificial ritual can have tangible social and economic impacts.
“I am optimistic that through BAZNAS’s professional sacrificial meat processing, God willing, Kuningan will become more prosperous,” Dian added.
At the event, Kuningan BAZNAS Chairman R. Yayan Sofyan explained that the programme is a concrete step to deliver broader benefits from the sacrifice, not just consumptive but also productive and sustainable.
He added that the programme serves as a momentum to strengthen collaboration between BAZNAS, regional BAZNAS offices, local government, businesses, and the community in building self-reliant and empowered villages.
“We aim to show that today’s sacrifice is not just about meat distribution, but also building community economic independence, creating business opportunities, and strengthening villages as centres of welfare growth,” said Yayan. (UL/E-4)