DUNGUN – Compared to previous years during the Covid-19 pandemic, Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration this time is merrier for residents in Dungun, Terengganu.
The good weather has enabled the obligatory ritual of qurban (sacrifice of a livestock animal) to run smoothly, as Muslims celebrate the first day of Aidiladha, today.
Qurban rituals were held in more places this year following the relaxation of the Covid-19 standard operating procedure.
Masjid Sura Dungun secretary Elias Jusoh said the mosque received more demands from villagers for the qurban ritual, this year.
"A total of eight cows were sacrificed today and another seven to be sacrificed tomorrow. So, the total of cows for the qurban ritual was 15.
"People had actually demanded more but we had to turn it down as there were not enough committee members to help out,” he told Sinar Daily.
Elias added that the slots for qurban had been opened prior to Adidiladha and it was fully booked quickly,
He said previously, the mosque would only sacrifice not more than eight cows, but due to the growing demand after the pandemic, they decided to sacrifice 15 cows.
Meanwhile, the Balik Bukit surau, here, had also decided to sacrifice 12 cows this year with the help of a total of 40 committee members.
Its chairman Mazlan Tawang said the cooperation between the villagers during the Aidiladha celebration today has strengthen their relationship.
"Today marks the 15th year we held the qurban ritual at the surau since 2007 and many people were involved this year.
"We actually have 12 livestock animals this year, six for each day and it was great to see the villagers working together," he said.
Asked to comment on whether the inflation in Malaysia would affect the qurban rital this year, he said it actually received more demands.
He added that in fact, the surau had to decline other requests due to limited livestock animals.
"We would probably look into increasing the number of livestock animals for the qurban ritual next year," he said.