BURBANK, CA (January 6, 2006) – In conjunction with the Islamic Shura

Council of Michigan and the Muslim community in Detroit, Islamic Relief, an

international aid agency, will distribute sacrificed meat to fulfill the Islamic

religious practice of Udhiyah/Qurbani performed during the season of the

yearly Muslim pilgrimage, the Hajj. The meat will be distributed to the

Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan and inner-city

Islamic centers in Detroit.

‘Udhiyah’ or ‘Qurbani’ is an Islamic religious practice performed at the time of

Eid al-Adha (the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhul al-Hijjah) –

the “Festival of the Feast” – involving the sacrifice of an animal. The event

commemorates the sacrifice that Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) made

to God to show his devotion and commitment to Him.

Eid al-Adha is a day of celebration and remembrance of God. Not all,

however, are in a position to enjoy this day, and it is the duty of the more

fortunate amongst us to help those less fortunate. Islamic Relief performs

Udhiyah/Qurbani on behalf of its donors and distributes the meat to the

needy, so that everyone can celebrate this special day together.

This is the first time Islamic Relief is carrying out this project in the metro

Detroit area. Realizing the great need for such a project, Islamic Relief hopes

to make this a yearly event in Detroit. Several thousand pounds of meat will

be distributed to the needy in Detroit through this project.

In addition to the metro Detroit project, Islamic Relief will distribute Udhiyah

meat to the needy in 25 countries this year, including countries which have

suffered through recent humanitarian crises. Beneficiaries include victims of

the Pakistan earthquake, the West African food crisis in Niger and Mali, and

the tsunami in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Islamic Relief’s seasonal projects such as Udhiyah/Qurbani and the Ramadan

feeding program benefit over 1.5 million people worldwide.