16 tonnes of korban meat donated by Muslims in Singapore to be distributed in Gaza
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Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim chatting with a resident during a korban meat distribution event on June 28.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
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SINGAPORE – Some 16 tonnes of canned sheep meat donated by Muslims in Singapore will be delivered to recipients in Gaza later in 2025.
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said on June 28 that this contribution shows that Singapore’s Muslim community is “deeply mindful of our responsibility to support those facing humanitarian challenges abroad”.
Speaking on the sidelines of a korban meat packing and distribution event in Toa Payoh, he said the korban meat – after being processed and canned – is slated for distribution to Palestinians in Gaza in the second half of 2025.
Distribution will be carried out by trusted partners on the ground, added Associate Professor Faishal, citing the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation as an example.
Korban refers to the Islamic ritual of slaughtering farm animals such as sheep and lambs, followed by the distribution of the meat to worshippers and the needy.
It takes place annually during Hari Raya Haji, and is organised in Singapore by the korban sub-committee of SalamSG – a platform for key mosque programmes in Singapore.
Locally, 39 tonnes of meat will be distributed by various mosques to about 1,000 beneficiaries.
Korban rituals are fulfilled mostly overseas, in Australia, where livestock is slaughtered, before their meat is chilled, packed and sent to Singapore.
In Singapore, six mosques have approvals to host korban rituals.
Prof Faishal said close to 5,700 orders for overseas korban livestock were placed in 2025, the highest since 2022 and a 20 per cent increase on 2024’s orders.
On the donation of korban meat to Palestinians, Prof Faishal said: “We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that the aid reaches its intended recipient.”
He added: “This initiative represents not just our religious obligations, but also our commitment to supporting communities in crisis, demonstrating how our acts of worship can be channelled to those in need and to provide practical assistance to those in dire circumstances.”
Prof Faishal also said he will discuss with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore the possibility of expanding korban operations in Singapore beyond the six mosques, in response to feedback from the Muslim community.
He said “the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance” will be factored into any decision to increase this figure.
“Please give us some time to look further into it and work closely with relevant agencies overseeing the regulatory requirements, to explore the possibilities.”
His update on the distribution of korban meat in 2025 comes after more than $2.4 million was raised from Feb 24 to April 6 for Aid for Gaza 2025,
The sum was raised in an SG60 community fund-raising initiative with M³@Towns – a group of community-based platforms in Singapore bringing together volunteers and professionals from the Malay/Muslim community to serve the needs of residents.
The fund-raiser was organised by Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, the Egyptian Red Crescent and local humanitarian partner Humanity Matters.
