Qurban Somalia – The Joyous Celebration In Dadaab
DAGAHALEY, KENYA, Oct 27 , 2012 – Allahu akbar. Allahu akbar. Allahu akbar. Three Malaysians were sent continents away from home on a tour of duty in an exotic, distant land named Kenya, close to the border of Somalia.
No, it wasn’t the safari. It was the day of Eidul Adha, and in the sea of African faces and ebony skinned, well-built men, the three Asians stood out as outsiders, resonating takbir and tahmid as one in the midst of day.
The team packed early for breakfast at the Kenya Red Cross Centre before heading out to Dagahaley about 20 kilometres away from Dadaab. No ketupat and rendang on the table this year. Just plain bread and butter to milk the tastebuds.
The Dagahaley refugee camp is amongst the biggest in Dadaab, alongside the IFO camps. Our aim is to be there for Eid prayer, alongside the thousands of refugees who are hopeful of getting something to fill their stomachs on this auspicious day. The Eid congregation amplifies the resilience of the refugees in practising Islam in their lives, despite all the hardship being refugees in a foreign land. They were out early on the sand-dusty field, eager to perform the solah on this very blessed day. We noticed that they earnestly tried to look their best that morning. Those fancy clothes could just be the most prized possession they have.
After the Eid prayer, we headed for the livestock slaughtering centre where hundreds have been waiting to get their share of the qurban meats. Out under the desert sun, they waited in long lines – men, women, young and old, several with babies strapped on their backs. Armed soldiers of the Kenyan military kept them in order. We were warned not to get out of the centre or to be too close to the refugees as some of them might be armed.
In Dagahaley, 300 portions of Malaysians’ qurban were slaughtered and distributed to the refugees with the assistance of our NKEI brothers. In approximately one hour, the slaughtering process was completed . The HALUAN team was involved in slaughtering of the animals and to witness that it had been done according to sharia and properly distributed to the needy. A total of 300 goats went down, another 20 camels and 259 portions to go.
It was heart-tugging to wave goodbye to the new friends we made at Dagahaley refugee camp, pledging to return here someday. We were then escorted to Dadaab, where further action awaits us. Some 20 camels were ‘waiting’ for us there. Some were patient, while others were playing coy.
Witnessing the slaughtering of camels was indeed an exhilarating new experience for us, especially when we only see them in zoos back home. It was here that the team leader, Mr. Mohd Jamil Muda man-handled three camels and slaughtered them, all to the awe of even the locals. “Only those with strong hearts can slaughter a camel. For a Malaysian, to slaughter three in this occasion is really something,” said chief guide Sheikh Ya’kub in a jubilant mood.
Our first day of Eid was indeed a joyous one. Having spent time far away from home in a land of the needful was something we never dreamt of before. But, here we are. Amongst the faithful believers in Allah whom we love as our own brothers and sisters in faith. Our wish and supplications that this qurban by Malaysian donors become a success has finally been answered by the Almighty. Each place visited, and each parting goodbye mean so much to us as people whom Allah has chosen to give aplenty. It is only apt for us Malaysians to support efforts such as these to give thanks to the Creator. HALUAN will always be there for you.
The spirit of Eid was well in the air, as everyone was wishing each other ‘Eid Mubarak’ as they meet. Perhaps what made it more meaningful was the rare instances when we bumped into other humanitarian workers from other countries celebrating Eid here, a majority of them are Turkish. We also made good friends with two German Muslims representing an NGO called ‘Umut’ (Hope) whose missions were also arranged by Sheikh Ya’kub and the NKEI brothers.
The Qurban during Eidul Adha is about making sacrifices, and sacrifices we have made. It was a tradition that of Prophet Abraham a.s. and his beloved son Prophet Ishmael a.s., the two Prophets of Islam whose convictions bespoke of sheer faith and obedience in our One and Only Creator, that is Allah.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha from Dadaab, Kenya. Maaf Zahir dan Batin.
Report by Bro. Irwan, Dadaab refugee camp, Kenya.
Breakfast with German volunteers from Umut NGO. 
Eid khutbah in Dagahaley camp. 
Joyous Eid celebration. 
Refugees waited in long lines.
