Islamic Relief UK to deliver its biggest ever food distribution in the UK for Eid

From next week, Islamic Relief UK and 18 partners – including FareShare – will begin distributing essential food packs to vulnerable communities throughout the UK. The country-wide distribution will not only mark the final weeks of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month in the Islamic calendar, but will also happen following the Islamic festival of Eid-al-Adha (otherwise known as The Festival of Sacrifice) on 20 July*.

Alongside 4,700 food packs, approximately 7000kg of sheepmeat will be distributed in honour of the Muslim tradition of Qurbani (sacrifice). Every year, during the month of Dhul-Hijjah, Muslims around the world slaughter an animal – a goat, sheep, cow or camel – to commemorate the sacrifice that the Prophet Ibrahim was prepared to make for Allah. Many Muslims pay a charity to have the Qurbani sacrifice done on their behalf.

The sacrificial meat is divided into three portions and, in the UK, it all goes to people who need it most including refugees, those suffering economic hardship, asylum seekers, women facing domestic abuse and the homeless. Last year, a significant amount of the distribution was received by non-Muslims.

Following the Eid-al-Adha festivities, Islamic Relief UK’s regional distribution will take place from 24 – 31 July, with the final day in the Islamic calendar taking place on Sunday 8 August*. Alongside FareShare, who will distribute a third of the meat, the UK partners for the Eid (Qurbani and non-Qurbani) distributions are:

On 6 and 7 July, Islamic Relief UK began distributions with Celtic FC in Glasgow, where 500 food packs (no meat) were distributed.

Islamic Relief will be delivering Qurbani meat to over 3.1 million people overseas in 27 countries via local distributors, and in the UK the Qurbani meat will be sourced from Euro Quality Lambs.

Shropshire based Euro Quality Lambs are one of Europe’s leading suppliers of British sheepmeat who pride themselves on producing high-quality grass-fed lamb and mutton. They use sustainable processes to recycle products such as blood into biogas and fertiliser and offal into pet food.

“This year’s Qurbani and Dhul-Hijjah distributions are the most ambitious we have ever done in the UK. As with last year, we have partnered with FareShare who are doing fantastic work within vulnerable UK communities. “Alongside their hard-working team and those of our regional partners, we hope we can deliver high-quality meat and food essentials to those who need it most during this difficult time. This wouldn’t be possible without incredible support from our donors who choose to help people in both the UK and abroad.”

*all religious dates subject to change depending on moonsighting.

For any questions or to request to interview one of our spokespeople, please contact:

Eid-Al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice, is the second of two worldwide Islamic celebrations each year.

In the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid-Al-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhul-Hijjah and lasts four days. In the Gregorian calendar, the date shifts each year.

Islamic Relief is a faith-inspired, development and humanitarian agency working to transform and save the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in over 40 countries. Islamic Relief assists people according to need and does not discriminate in any way.

Set up in Birmingham in 1984 by a group of volunteers, we have assisted over 117 million people all over the world. We’re saving lives and empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty in over 37 countries – from Bangladesh to Bosnia, Pakistan to Palestine, Kenya to Kosovo. Islamic Relief is on the ground in some of the world’s most dangerous and difficult places – including Syria and Yemen – strengthening the most marginalised communities to withstand conflict and natural disasters and to build a brighter future. We also support vulnerable people in the UK in partnership with local charities and organisations.