The Concept of Combined Qurbani

The concept of combined Qurbani has become very popular in Mumbai as it is eco-friendly, less expensive and the meat is distributed to the poor Muslims in the hinterland
M. H. Lakdawala

Environment-friendly Id-ul-Zuha or Bakrid- ever heard of that? What does Bakrid have to do with the environment? Since the last couple of years, Muslims of Mumbai are discovering the benefit of environmental-friendly Bakrid.

Due to the urban lifestyle and lack of adequate space, sacrificing the animal and disposing off the related waste is the major problem faced every year. Due to lack of proper waste disposal, an epidemic broke out in the Muslim dominated localities in Mumbai in the past. Dr Asad Mirza, a general practitioner in the Muslim-dominated Bhendi Bazar area in South Mumbai reveals that every year, after Bakrid, there is atleast 30 to 35 per cent rise in the cases of diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid and malaria. ? The reason is not far to seek. Due to lack of civic sense, most of the Muslim families drain off the blood of the animal into the common drainage which clogs the entire drainage system. Moreover the waste of the animal is left in the open for days turning these areas into a perfect breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria leading to the epidemic outbreak,? confirms Dr Mirza. What is the alternative then? The posh housing societies solved the problem by reserving the space in their large compound for the purpose and taking care of the waste disposal. The real problem was faced by the congested Muslim middle-class localities. Few of the alert Muslims reserve community halls or Jamaatkhanas of the localities and request the residents to keep their animals there, feed them and sacrifice them there at nominal cost. Others have struck deals with their regular mutton suppliers or butchers. The package is that the butcher will purchase the animal, keep it, feed it and on Bakrid day, sacrifice the animal and then make home delivery of the meat.

?This is not only a cost effective measure, but also saves time and is environmental friendly. Since our mutton supplier is a professional and has the infrastructure, they easily manage the waste and protect the environment,? says Syed Zia, a timber merchant who sacrifices seven animals on every Bakrid. Zubair Bagban used to keep and sacrifice the animals on the terrace of his residence. But since last three years, Zubair is keeping the animals at the community hall at Mohammed Ali Road. A fruit dealer, Zubair was pained to watch the women of the household struggling to clean the blood and disposing off the waste. ? But now that problem has been solved as I, my relatives and friends do the Qurbani at the community hall and in an organised manner,? says Zubair.

Nazir Merchant of Classic Mutton Corner was able to convince 28 of his regular customers for their Bakrid package. It included purchase of the animal to home delivery of the mutton. ? This year, the booking has crossed 50, our target is atleast 100 customers,? says Nazir.

Dr Javid Shaikh who has registered with the Classic Mutton Corner package is a relieved man. ? Every year in the past, we had to search for a good butcher and then struggle to dispose off the waste. Since the last two years, my family is celebrating Bakrid in peace without any problem of purchasing the animal and disposing off the waste,? says Javid. Many of the Muslim social organisations in Mumbai are promoting ?combined Qurbani? as a concept which is not only permitted in Islam, but also becoming very popular in the Gulf countries. On a visit to any Muslim locality in Mumbai this time of the year, one can find a slew of organisations offering individual share in the combined Qurbani. The blackboard banners, handbills and posters announce the details and cost of Qurbani per share.

Dr Asad Mirza, a general practitioner in the Muslim-dominated Bhendi Bazar area in South Mumbai reveals that every year after Bakrid, there is atleast 30 to 35 per cent rise in the cases of diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid and malaria.

Siddique Qasmi of ?Roshni? a social and welfare group is organising combined Qurbani since the last five years. Last year, the total booking was 258. ? The majority of people who opt for combined Qurbani are from the lower and the middle class. Since according to Islam, a single animal such as a bullock can have seven shares, offering such facilities of combined Qurbani helps a Muslim from the lower class to offer Qurbani. ?We purchase animals in bulk and at wholesale rates. So we are able to keep the per share amount to the minimum. Last year and this year also, the per share amount is Rs 550 which is very reasonable, says Qasmi.

Yakub Patel of Muslim Youth Forum is a strong proponent of combined Qurbani. According to Patel, the environmental-friendly factor and beef for the poor are the twin benefits of combined Qurbani. ? Every year, we organised combined Qurbani. The beef is packed in small polythene bags and distributed among the poor Muslims and since we have a group of volunteers, we easily take care of the waste and protect the environment,? says Patel.

Many social and religious organisations arrange for combined Qurbani as it helps them to meet their budget for various social and welfare activities. Mahmood Patel, local president of Jamaat-e-Islami organises combined Qurbani every year and also promotes this concept among friends. ? Since we organised combined Qurbani, we get the animal hides and by selling it, we have been able to generate funds for our dawah and welfare activities,? says Mahmood Patel.

Rais Khan, trustee of Madrassa-e-Mohammediya in Bandra, organises the combined Qurbani every year. The booking is done in Mumbai, but the animals are sacrificed in the interiors of Maharashtra. ?The idea is that the beef is distributed among the poor Muslims in the hinterland. Also the finance generated by selling the skin of the animal goes into sponsoring poor Muslim students living in the villages,? says Khan.

Most of the organisations offering combined Qurbani options also offer the facilities of providing the beef to the individuals who have booked their shares. ? While booking, we ask the person if they want their share of beef, what part and how much quantity. Then we pack it accordingly and ask them to collect it from our city office on the appointed day and time,? says Mahmood Patel.

Ashraf Memon, a businessman, prefers combined Qurbani organised by the local unit of Darool Uloom Deoband. ? Previously, I used to spend the entire day purchasing the animal and then completing the entire process. It was very tiring, hectic and expensive. I could not spend time with family on Bakrid. Now I book 10 shares each in the name of the individuals in our family and get home delivery of the beef. This way, I save time and also support the poor students studying in the madrassas,? says Ashraf. The concept of combined Qurbani has become very popular in Mumbai as it is eco-friendly, less expensive and the meat is distributed to the deserving in the community. Apart from this, it has become a source of support for a slew of welfare and religious organisations.