JAKARTA – Eid al-Adha is not only a moment of worship for Muslims around the world, but also a moment to share happiness with others. Through the act of sacrificial offerings, Dompet Dhuafa, in collaboration with the Islamic Spirituality Authority of the Financial Services Authority (ROIS OJK), delivered the sacrificial offerings to remote areas of Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, and Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), during Eid al-Adha on Friday, June 6, 2025, until the day of Tasyrik.
A total of 35 sacrificial animals equivalent to sheep/goats (doka) were distributed to 350 beneficiaries from 22 villages in Bulu Cina Village, Hamparan Perak District, Deli Serdang. The community welcomed the initiative with joy. After the slaughtering ceremony at the Dompet Dhuafa (DD) Farm Waspada North Sumatra livestock center, villagers gathered to assist with the distribution process.
Together with volunteers from the Sacrificial Animal Distribution (THK) program of Dompet Dhuafa, the distribution mechanism was divided into two parts. First, village representatives collected the slaughtered sacrificial animals, which were then butchered together with the villagers of their respective villages. Second, the distribution was carried out door-to-door by THK volunteers.
Unlike most villages, Bulu Cina has hamlets that are far apart from one another. This is due to the conditions of the hamlet borders, which are densely covered by vast sugar cane and palm oil plantations. Each hamlet is home to more than 100 family cards (KK).
Accompanied by the Head of Hamlet 20 Pasar Tujuh, Sutrisno, volunteers from THK Dompet Dhuafa distributed sacrificial meat to the homes of the villagers. He shared that his hamlet alone has a total of 215 KK.
Most residents work as daily wage laborers in the plantations. Their income is unpredictable each day, ranging from 60,000 to 150,000 rupiah per day. On bad days, they may earn nothing at all, as there is nothing to harvest or they may not receive work calls from the landowners.
He was also grateful that THK could serve as a momentum to strengthen the bonds between hamlets, as well as a social effort to share meat with those who are economically disadvantaged.
“Our residents have to struggle every day just to survive. Because their income is uncertain, when asked about their monthly income, they cannot answer. Moreover, when we went to Ampera Hamlet 21, there were some who received sacrificial meat for the first time. I just pray that Dompet Dhuafa and ROIS OJK will be blessed with abundance and blessings,” said Sutrisno.
Smiles lit up the faces of everyone who received the sacrificial meat. It was not just about the meat, but also the unexpected meeting that created touching stories and experiences. On the same day, far away in the eastern corner of the country, this bond of happiness was also felt by the residents of Rote Ndao Regency, NTT.
A total of 20 cows were slaughtered during Eid al-Adha and Tasyrik. The slaughtering took place at a single location, Metina Village, and the meat was then distributed to beneficiary villages, where it was cut up by the residents.
“Distributing the meat from a single location and then distributing it from house to house or village to village is considered more effective. It also helps minimize panic among the sacrificial animals if many people gather to watch the slaughter. This way, the animals don’t get stressed,” explained Pradila Maulia, a representative from Dompet Dhuafa.
At least, the joy of this year’s sacrifice brought solace to Srisanti—one of the beneficiaries who lives alone with her second child. Her eldest child is studying out of town on a full scholarship. Meanwhile, her husband, a fisherman, has not returned to his small family.
For years, Srisanti has resignedly told her children that their father had passed away while at sea. However, she added, her younger child, who is still young, does not believe her. “Father is still alive; maybe he’s still out at sea fishing,” Srisanti repeated her child’s words.
Now, to survive, she has opened a small shop in her home. Her income is barely enough to cover the daily food needs for herself and her second child. Srisanti shared that her eldest child has not had the opportunity to return home for Eid al-Adha this year. He only managed to contact her via mobile phone. “Mom, I’m sorry, I can’t come home. My older sibling is taking final exams here,” the eldest child explained to his mother.
“I am very grateful, I am so happy, Alhamdulillah. I have also told my first child that I will cook the sacrificial meat and send it to Kupang, where my child is working. Thank you Dompet Dhuafa and ROIS OJK,” she said enthusiastically.
The cattle sacrifice from ROIS OJK was distributed to eight villages, benefiting approximately 1,400–1,600 recipients on the island known for its majority population of fishermen.
From the end of the Dompet Dhuafa and ROIS OJK sacrifice journey, there were many unexpected stories that touched our hearts. May this happiness not only be felt during Eid al-Adha, but also become a memory that will remain with everyone involved. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text: Hany Fatihah Ahmad
Photos: Hany, Elfi, Iki
Editor: Dhika