Idul Adha is an important Islamic celebration that remembers the readiness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. This holiday is marked by Muslims across the globe and highlights essential values, such as compassion, generosity, and support for those who are less fortunate. A vital part of this celebration is the qurban, or animal sacrifice, which represents the significance of sharing one’s blessings with those in need. At UGM, this event is particularly meaningful as it aligns with the university’s mission to enhance community welfare. By distributing qurban meat, UGM seeks to combat food insecurity among its students and the wider community. These initiatives align with SDG 2, which aims to double the productivity and income of small-scale food producers while improving access to food security resources by 2030.
To tackle student hunger and promote the well-being of the community, the UGM Campus Mosque organized a dedicated Idul Adha qurban event, which involved distributing sacrificial meat to both students and local residents. This celebration occurred on July 21, 2021, and included the slaughter of two goats and three cows donated by UGM RZIS and mosque congregants. The meat was distributed to 60 beneficiaries, including individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, those with disabilities, and visually impaired persons, as well as 10 student volunteers who helped with the distribution. The recipients came from various areas, including Gemawang, Pogung Kidul, Pogung Rejo, Gowok, Blunyahgede, Cokrodiningratan, and Gamping. Additionally, mosque volunteers provided beef to six orphanages throughout Yogyakarta, including Panti Asuhan Al-Falah, Ulil Albab, BASA, Daarut Taqwa, Darun Najah, and Al-Quddus-Sinar Melati 7. This outreach aimed to bring a sense of solidarity and alleviate food insecurity among vulnerable groups.
Through Idul Adha, UGM has effectively engaged with this objective by addressing hunger while also cultivating a tradition of giving and sharing with those in need. This initiative allows students, including international attendees, to learn the importance of compassion within a community-oriented culture. Notably, four international students from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Yemen, accompanied by the UGM Office of International Affairs (OIA), participated in the qurban event, where they observed the sacrificial rites and felt the communal spirit of Idul Adha. The visiting students were also given symbolic gifts of qurban meat, enhancing their cultural experience and involvement in this meaningful occasion. Through initiatives like these, UGM effectively combines practical hunger intervention strategies with opportunities for students to embrace values of generosity, solidarity, and cultural empathy.
