MELAKA, May 28 – Excess qurban (sacrificial) meat that would normally only last a few days can now be stored for up to two years through the Sunduk Qurban Project initiated by Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM) together with Malaysian Dakwah Coalition (GDM) Melaka branch.
MAIM Baitulmal manager Mohd Hairulamin Mohd Sis said the project, adopting vacuum-sealing and retort packaging technology, would ensure surplus qurban meat could be distributed in a more organised manner after Aidiladha with a longer shelf life while remaining clean and safe for the needy. “We can ensure that more than 10,000 Muslim converts, asnaf and poor groups in Melaka who are unable to collect meat at qurban programme locations due to distance factors will have the opportunity to enjoy it through our outreach programmes to be organised later,” he said. Speaking to reporters at the Melaka’s Kasih Qurban Perdana Muallaf here, today, he said 4,000 packs of qurban meat had been targeted for collection this year compared to 3,200 packs or about three tonnes last year, with about 1.5 tonnes had been collected yesterday and another nine cattle were processed and distributed by volunteers. He said the idea to start the Sunduk Qurban project was a brainchild of former Melaka Mufti Abdul Halim Tawil and the meat will be distributed a month after Aidiladha and completed within six months. Mohd Hairulamin said while part of the surplus would be processed into ready-to-eat meals such as rendang, kurma curry and others using retort technology. “Last year, the processed meat was turned into emergency food aid stock for distribution to convert and poor families. When urgent needs arise, the food can be sent directly to recipients without the need for reheating. “This project is also a guarantee that there will no longer be hunger among these groups because during this period (Aidiladha), we are able to gather qurban meat contributions from across Melaka through those who performed qurban but did not know where to distribute the meat,” he said. Meanwhile, he said the Kasih Qurban Perdana Muallaf 2026 Programme brought together more than 50 volunteers from various dakwah and convert-related non-governmental organisations in the state under GDM Melaka branch, including the Melaka Muslim Dayak Association and Melaka Sabah Children’s Association. He added that the annual programme not only strengthened ties among converts from various races and ethnicities, but also served as a platform to reinforce the spirit of togetherness through the qurban ritual.- BERNAMA
