In anticipation of the Qurbani festival, a bustling cattle market has sprung up near the TV tower inside Radiant Yahya Garden. Here, many residents of the world’s largest Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, are purchasing their sacrificial animals.
For those who cannot afford their animals, the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and various charity organizations are stepping in to ensure that the tradition of Qurbani continues. These organizations are donating cattle to the neediest families in each camp, ensuring that even the most vulnerable can partake in this important religious ritual.
In their homeland, Arakan (Rakhine State, Myanmar), many Rohingya used to buy their Qurbani animals from local markets. In more rural areas, those who owned cows, buffalo, and goats would often use their animals for sacrifice. Despite their displacement, the Rohingya community in the camps holds a strong desire to continue celebrating their festivals and rituals, deeply rooted in their culture.
Many Rohingya refugees express a deep yearning to return to their villages in Myanmar, where they hope to once again celebrate Eid al-Adha and other cultural festivals in their native land. Those with family members abroad often receive financial support to purchase Qurbani animals. However, for many in the camps, the reality is stark. Only about 10% of the population can afford to buy cattle for sacrifice, meaning that most people do not get to eat meat during this holy month.
Camp mosques host Eid al-Adha prayers, also known as Eid Jamat. For example, in the Kutupalong TV Tower Camp, residents gather for prayers in Camp 7. While local authorities do not provide specific instructions for where to slaughter the Qurbani animals, the residents typically make use of any available space near their shelters. However, the RRRC and charity organizations slaughter the donated cattle at designated locations within the camps, typically at one of the two or three food distribution centers.
“The local authority doesn’t give such instructions for specific places to slaughter Qurbani, but it entirely depends on the space available near their shelter,” Sadek Khan explained. However, the RRRC and charity organizations will slaughter the cattle in specific locations, as each camp has two to three food centers.
Despite the challenges and the limited resources, the spirit of Eid al-Adha remains strong among the Rohingya refugees. The communal efforts to support one another and uphold their traditions exemplify their resilience and determination to preserve their cultural identity even in the face of adversity.
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