Islam in India
With around 204 million Muslims (2019 estimate), India's Muslim population is about the world's third-largest and the world's largest Muslim-minority population. India is home to 10.9% of the world's Muslim population. Muslims have experienced discrimination in areas including employment, education, and housing. Many encounter barriers to achieving political power and wealth, and lack access to health care and basic services. Moreover, they often struggle to secure justice after suffering discrimination, despite constitutional protections.
What is Qurbani and why is it important?
Qurbani, meaning sacrifice, is an integral part of the festival of Eid ul-Adha for Muslims around the world. In addition, this act is also known as the Sunnah of Ibrahim. During this time, Muslims remember the sacrifice that the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was prepared to make in the name of Allah (SWT) and the mercy shown by his Creator, replacing his son, Ismail (AS), with a goat before the sacrificial slaughter. To commemorate this, the annual Qurbani festival sacrifices animals between the 10th and 12th days of Dhul Hijjah. For some families, the Qurbani meat donation they receive could be the only nutritious meal they eat until the following year’s Qurbani meat distribution. This is one important reason why the act of Qurbani is so important in Islam, as we do all that we can to look after our brothers and sisters who are living in poverty.
