Qurbani
Nourishing Communities, Spreading Joy: SANZAF’s Local Qurbani Campaign
Each year, Qurbani offers an opportunity to connect with those in need, to honour the values of compassion and charity and to bring the warmth of Eid to every home. In 2024, SANZAF’s local Qurbani campaign was a vibrant reflection of these ideals, reaching deep into communities across South Africa and nurturing not just bodies, but spirits.
With the heartfelt generosity of our donors and the tireless commitment of our volunteers, this year’s campaign became a movement of giving, grounded in faith and powered by unity. It wasn’t just about meat, it was about moments. Moments of joy. Moments of dignity. Moments of shared humanity.
A Mission Rooted in Service
From bustling urban centres to quiet rural villages, our teams ensured that the sacred act of Qurbani reached people from all walks of life. Every cut of meat, every parcel delivered, every smile sparked, each one carried with it the essence of this powerful tradition: sacrifice, compassion and connection.
Across 276 locations, the Qurbani campaign became a bridge between those with the means to give and those in need of a hand. Families who may have otherwise gone without were able to sit down to a hearty meal during Eid, feeling seen, remembered and celebrated.
Meat with Meaning
Behind every parcel distributed was intention: not simply to nourish, but to uplift. The thousands of kilograms of meat delivered were more than just food they were symbols of care, reminders that no one is forgotten and that the spirit of Qurbani lives on through real, tangible acts of kindness.
Each share donated told a story of someone fulfilling a religious obligation with heart. Each parcel delivered told the story of a community strengthened through generosity. And each meal eaten was a silent prayer answered.
Sowing Seeds for the Future
Our Qurbani campaign didn’t end with Eid. A portion of the funds raised was invested into the SANZAF Waqf Fund, planting the seeds of long-term impact. Through this ongoing charity, the legacy of Qurbani will continue to uplift generations to come, proof that a single act of giving can ripple far into the future.
The Power of Us
While the numbers are powerful, the real success of this campaign lies in the spirit that animated it. The volunteers who stood under the sun to pack and deliver meat. The donors who gave from what they had. The SANZAF staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. And the families who received with gratitude and grace.
Together, we didn’t just fulfill a duty, we kindled joy, restored dignity and built a stronger, more compassionate South Africa.
A Journey of Sacrifice and Service: Reflections from the Qurbani Mission in Malawi
The 1445/2024 Qurbani mission to Malawi was an unforgettable experience of sacrifice, service, and spiritual awakening. Led by Moulana Rezaan Sydow and accompanied by dedicated team members like Moulana Azaad and Yusuf, the journey brought to light the true essence of Qurbani not only as a symbolic act of sacrifice, but as a lived reality in the rural heartlands of Malawi. The mission began with a humbling landing at a modest airport, a far cry from South Africa's developed infrastructure, setting the tone for the immense contrasts and raw experiences to come. With no electricity, plumbing or social welfare systems, the local communities lived with severe poverty, yet exuded a striking sense of dignity and gratitude. Over 3,000 animals were sacrificed and every part was used nothing wasted as meat was distributed to families who often eat it only once a year. Recipients waited hours with patience and grace, highlighting both the desperation and deep appreciation they held for what others may take for granted. From walking miles for water to learning under trees due to lack of classrooms, the resilience of the Malawian people was both moving and inspiring. This journey reminded us that Qurbani is not just about distributing meat, but about honouring humanity, sharing in hardship and recognising the privilege we hold. The people of Malawi taught us the true meaning of gratitude, and in their quiet strength, they restored our understanding of what it means to serve.
The Call to Serve
When the call came to represent the Office on this sacred mission, I knew it was not simply an administrative assignment. It was a responsibility entrusted to us by Allah (SWT), through the decision of our leadership. To share this journey with Moulana Azaad and Moulana Ṣaṭwālī Shah was a gift in itself, SubhanAllah.
The word Qurbani, rooted in closeness to Allah (SWT), echoed through every moment of our travel. It wasn’t just about slaughtering an animal, it was about understanding the spirit of sacrifice and proximity to Allah (SWT) through serving His creation.
First Impressions: The Reality on the Ground
Touching down in Malawi was like stepping into another world. We arrived on a small, dusty airstrip that hardly resembled an airport. Tractors, a modest building, and huts surrounded the area. For a brief moment, I thought we had landed at someone’s homestead.But that raw simplicity, that absence of infrastructure, was our first lesson in humility.Our team, used to the conveniences of urban South Africa, was immediately faced with the stark contrast. No electricity. No running water. No sanitation. No government grants. Not even basic identity documentation for many elders.We weren’t there just to do Qurbani - we were there to witness a reality many of us cannot imagine.
A People of Dignity, Patience and Faith
Despite the poverty, the people of Malawi carry themselves with incredible dignity. They don’t complain. They wait patiently. Elderly men and women, some in their seventies, travelled for hours on foot just to receive their portion of Qurbani meat, meat they may not see again for an entire year.
What struck us most deeply was how they received this meat with smiles, with gratitude, with sabr. They didn’t rush, didn’t demand. They waited, often under scorching sun, some for more than three hours, simply because they trusted that something good was coming.
And they were right.
The Mechanics of the Qurbani
Executing Qurbani in Malawi is vastly different from in more developed regions. There are no machines. No refrigeration. Everything must happen swiftly and by hand, slaughter, skinning, portioning and distribution, all within the same day.Each goat or cow becomes life-giving. Every part is used meat, organs, skin, even bones. Nothing is wasted. For these communities, it’s not just about nourishment; it’s about survival.One goat often feeds four to five families. The meat is cooked and shared immediately. Leftovers cannot be stored. There’s no freezer to keep it fresh. This is their reality.
And yet, their joy is unmatched.
Humanizing Poverty: The Malawian Spirit
We often hear statistics about African poverty. But until you meet the people, hear their stories and witness their daily struggles, those numbers mean little.
In Malawi, we met real people humble, resilient, joyful in the face of hardship. Children learning under trees because there are no classrooms. Mothers walking kilometres to fetch clean water. Elders living with no state assistance.Yet they radiate hope. They exhibit a quiet strength and a deep reliance on Allah (SWT) that humbled us all.
We tend to dehumanize poverty, to view it as a condition rather than an experience. But our time in Malawi reminded us that poverty does not strip people of their humanity, it often magnifies it.
Reflections from the Team
“We were fearful of the wrong things. We came worried about dogs or discomfort. But what shook us was not fear, it was awe. These people have so little, yet they taught us so much about contentment and gratitude.” – ML Azaad“It was a full-circle moment. We came to give, but we left having received something greater. Malawi reminded us of the privilege of our lives and the duty to do more.” – ML Rezaan
The Lesson We Brought Home
We returned not just with empty containers and used equipment, we came back full. Full of stories. Full of realizations. Full of renewed purpose.
We realized that sacrifice isn't about what you give up it’s about what you're willing to give for the sake of Allah (SWT). And the people of Malawi, though they live in conditions most would call unbearable, embody the true essence of Qurbani: resilience, patience and unwavering faith.
A Final Message
To those reading this, know that your Qurbani changed lives. But more than that, it preserved dignity, restored hope and connected hearts across oceans.
And to our Malawian brothers and sisters, Jazakallah Khair for welcoming us with such love. You have taught us more than we could ever give.
May Allah (SWT) accept from us and from you.Wa-l-ḥamduli-Llāhi Rabbil-ʿālamīn.
