Eid for the Oppressed

A Journey of Sacrifice and Love for Gaza

From the wall of Engineer Muhammed Nasir Uddin, President of Ash Foundation USA Inc. and Chairman of Alhaj Shamsul Hoque Foundation

Can’t we offer just a piece of meat—on the blessed day of Eid—to our oppressed, homeless, and displaced brothers and sisters? Should they be denied the joy of the second-largest festival of the Muslim Ummah?

In Gaza, the price of sacrificial animals has reached staggering heights. A single Dumba costs $1,000 (৳1,22,500), and a camel can go for up to $5,000 (৳6,00,000). Amid this crisis, how many will truly be able to afford Qurbani?

While some organizations are collecting Qurbani funds at lower costs and planning to perform sacrifices in countries like Egypt before attempting to send the meat to Gaza, this method leaves many of us unsettled. With ongoing border closures and uncertain logistics, the spirit and immediacy of Eid are lost in translation. The true essence of Eid lies not in delayed charity, but in sharing in the moment—on the very day of Eid, straight to those in need, even if the cost is high.

Driven by that emotion—some may call it madness—we decided to act.Two Dumbas, against all odds, were purchased for direct Qurbani in Gaza. If no donor comes forward, we committed to covering the cost from the Foundation’s running food programs. Because this... this is love for humanity.

But Allah (SWT) had plans beyond our expectations. Two days ago, a local humanitarian organization donated for one Dumba.That was just the beginning. During a live session on the Foundation’s Facebook page, a professor from IBA, University of Dhaka, moved by emotion, donated $1,000 for another Dumba. The next day, another donor came forward through the Foundation’s General Secretary—another $1,000. Then again, an anonymous well-wisher quietly deposited $1,000 using Receive Voices app.This is nothing but divine confirmation—that if you dare to serve God’s creation, help will arrive in ways you never imagined.

Just like previous years, hundreds of Qurbanis will, inshallah, take place in flood-prone regions, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and Rohingya refugee camps, organized by the Alhaj Shamsul Hoque Foundation. Yet these few sacrifices in the blood-stained land of Gaza feel heavier, more sacred, more urgent. A single piece of meat for a child who has lost everything can carry the weight of a thousand Eid celebrations.

To stand beside them is more than charity—it is faith in action.

May Allah accept our Qurbani and give us the strength to continue serving His creation.