By Aubrey Thom Vakhani

This year’s Eid al-Adha prayers were held across Malawi on Thursday, marking the start of the festival of sacrifice and the beginning of a three-day period of animal slaughter.

Muslim communities gathered in mosques and some in open grounds nationwide before commencing the slaughter of animals immediately after prayers.MAM distributes food to Muslims in Nkhotakota

The sacrifice continued through Sunday after sunset, in line with Islamic rulings that permit udhiyah (sacrifice) on the day of Eid and the three days following.

Ahead of the festival, Chairperson of the Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM), Sheikh Idrisa Muhammad, had called on Muslims with the means to perform the sacrifice and to share the meat widely with family, neighbours, and those in need.Calls Grow for Transparent MAM Elections and Leadership Renewal

He also encouraged believers to dedicate their sacrifice on behalf of parents and relatives, living and deceased.

“As we all know, life on earth is not eternal, so the good deeds we can take with us to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala are acts of worship like these,” said Sheikh Muhammad.

He encouraged Muslims to set aside funds in advance to ensure they can fulfill the udhiyah (sacrifice) during the season.

“I believe many people in this country have the ability to slaughter a goat on their own. But perhaps what holds us back is that we don’t set the intention from the beginning,” he said.Malawi–Israel Job Scam Exposed? Recruitment Agents Accused of Exploiting Desperate Malawians with K2.5 Million Charges

The observance commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, an act honoured by Allah with a great sacrifice, as stated in the Qur’an: “And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.”

Sheikh Muhammad also reminded the faithful that the value of the sacrifice lies in piety, citing Qur’an 22:37: “Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.”Mwanamveka Graces Youth Pre-Budget Consultation at BICC

MAM says it will slaughter 1,300 cattle for Qurban this Eid al Adha, more than double last year’s 600.

Meat to be distributed to families across Malawi.