The COVID-19 situation has made importing livestock into Singapore and organising the qurban ritual at mosques challenging this year, said the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis).
"This is especially considering that the situation may remain fluid over the next two months, and the process of importing livestock, distributing the livestock to the mosques and organising the ritual slaughter at the mosques requires careful and advanced planning and execution," Muis said in an online statement.
Traditionally the ritual is held in mosques during Eid al-Adha (Hari Raya Aidiladha), in strict compliance with animal welfare standards and accordance with guidelines by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). Given the circumstances, mosques in Singapore will offer alternate arrangements instead - they will facilitate arrangements for Muslims who wish to perform qurban in Australia, with the meat chilled and shipped to Singapore subsequently.
Mosques will appoint and partner individual vendors who must ensure full compliance to all regulatory requirements for the importation of meat products set by SFA. Mosques will continue with the practice of distributing a portion of the meat to low-income families within the community, Muis said.
Ustaz Mohd Murat Md Aris, Deputy Mufti, said that what is important behind the practice of qurban (udhiyyah) is its essence, where Muslims make sacrifices as a demonstration of complete submission and obedience to God’s will. Protecting the larger community from harm, in the current context, is one of the greatest responsibilities and sacrifices a Muslim may make, he said, noting that Singaporean Muslims have been stepping out of their comfort zones by sacrificing the traditional aspects of many religious practices throughout Ramadhan, Shawal and even in the month of Dhulhijjah.
"We choose to delay sending pilgrims for Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. It is only fitting and in line with the spirit of qurban itself that this modification of practice, is also done for the qurban ritual this year, without sacrificing its essence," he said.
Muis said the mosque sector will continue to take steps to ensure a safe qurban, including the subsequent distribution of the qurban meat after the tashriq (التشريق) period. More details for qurban registration will be released at the end of June 2020.
*The Hajj occurs from 8 to 10 Dhulhijjah; Eid al-Adha is from 10 to 12 Dhulhijjah; and the days of tashriq are the 11 to 13 Dhulhijjah. Qurban is carried out from 10 to 13 Dhulhijjah.