Malaysian High Commission observes Korban

One of the festivals most grandly celebrated by Muslims worldwide, apart from Hari Raya Aidil Fitri is the Hari Raya AidilAdha, which is also more commonly known among the Malay community as the Hari Raya Korban or Hari Raya Haji, and in most Muslim countries is observed with a public holiday.

Celebrated about two months after Aidil Fitri, on the 10th day of Zulhijah, the 12th month of the Islamic calendar, the festival marks the end of the Haj pilgrimage period, which is where the name Hari Raya Haji (festival of the pilgrimage) originates.

According to the teachings of the al-Quran, AidilAdha commemorates the sacrifices made by the Prophet Ibrahim and this is where the word "Korban" is derived from, which means sacrifice.

The prophet was commanded by Allah the All-Mighty to offer his only son Ismail up for sacrifice, and although it grieved him greatly, he made ready to perform the task but as he was about to strike his son, Allah stopped him and revealed that it was a trial and his son's life was spared. Instead a ram was sacrificed in replacement.

So it became known how AidilAdha is observed, through the sacrifice of animals such as lambs, goats, cows, bulls and camels in accordance with the proper Islamic religious rites, the meat then duly distributed, from which one third is given to the individual who willingly supplied the animal, while the remaining is evenly distributed to the poor, deserving friends and relatives. However, this is not a compulsory religious duty, but an obligation for those who have the means.

The observance of the Korban is carried out after the congregational AidilAdha prayers, held early in the morning of AidilAdha and thus it is not unusual for the sacrifice to take place within a mosque compound while the rest of the day is either spent visiting friends and relatives, or entertaining guests at home, as is customary in this country.

Unlike neighbouring countries Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines, Brunei Darussalam celebrated its AidilAdha a day later, which was held yesterday, where the sacrificing of animals occurred at many locations.

One such event of the Korban was held by the Persatuan Kebajikan Melayu Se Malaysia in Brunei Darussalam (PKMS), the oldest association in the Sultanate, which was established in 1965. The event took place at the Malaysian High Commission.

Yesterday's religious event saw about 200 members of PKMS in attendance and the slaughtering took place right after the AidilAdha prayers. Malaysian High Commissioner Dato' Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari was also present.

President of PKMS Brunei Captain (Rtd) AH Amran Hj Aman disclosed that a total of three cows was slaughtered yesterday and amongst the recipients of the distributed slaughtered meat were orphans and the needy in the country.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin