The less fortunate in the East London district of Shadwell got their share of `Eid Al-Adha joy, thanks to an international Muslim charity which distributed 100 bags of Udhiyah meat in partnership with the local mosque.

“There are many families struggling financially throughout the year who find it harder to feel the joy of `Eid Al-Adha,” East London Mosque Maryam Centre manager Sufia Alam told The Docklands & East London Advertiser.

“We receive requests every `Eid from those who miss out on this blessed meat.”

Islamic Relief worked with the East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre in Whitechapel Road for the first time to deliver the Udhiyah meat.

“With this partnership, we want to spread the love and share the blessing of this sacred day with our local community,” Alam said.

“No one should feel left out on `Eid. At the heart of the biggest Muslim community in London, the East London Mosque supports many vulnerable people.

“Thanks to Islamic Relief, we now have the opportunity to bring joy and share meat with these families as part of reviving our Islamic obligations.”

Delivering Happiness

`Eid Al-Adha, or “Feast of Sacrifice”, marks the end of the Hajj season and is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations, together with Eid Al-Fitr.

A financially-able Muslim sacrifices a single sheep or goat or shares with six others in sacrificing a camel or cow as an act of worship during the four-day `Eid Al-Adha celebrations.

The ritual commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail to Allah as an act of obedience and submission.

Islamic Relief UK director Tufail Hussain said: “We thank East London Mosque for working with us to deliver Udhiyah and share the happiness of `Eid with families who are struggling and going hungry.

“Poverty in the UK is worsening and we are increasingly helping more people on our own doorstep.

“`Eid is the time when we share meat with our neighbors and those less fortunate.

“The generosity of the mosque will help ease the suffering of many in London and this is the true spirit of `Eid. We wish everyone a blessed `Eid Mubarak.”

Islamic Relief Worldwide was established in 1984 in response to the famine in Africa.