The people helping others this Eid didn’t carry swords; they carried packets of meat, smiles, and hope
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI – While mainstream media often ignores the efforts of Muslims in public welfare, this Eid-Al-Azha, thousands of poor and struggling families across Mumbai’s outskirts were given a reason to smile. Several Muslim organisations came together to distribute sacrificial meat to those who cannot afford it, reminding society of the compassion and unity embedded in Islamic teachings.
From Malad to Mumbra and Mira Road, religious institutions and social organisations ensured that the poor were not forgotten during this special occasion. “This is not just meat; this is our way of sharing happiness and respect with those who are usually left behind,” said Abdul Rashid Mahi, a member of the Noorani Masjid Committee in Pathanwadi, Malad East.
The mosque committee continued its 13-year-old tradition of distributing Eid meat to the poor. Speaking to Clarion India, Abdul Rashid Mahi explained: “We urged the people 8 to 10 days before Eid to donate goat meat. Some donated one goat, others two. Last year we had 53 goats. This year, we received 60.”
All the meat is packed into 1-kilogram bags and handed over personally to those who truly need it. “We check the identity of those who approach us. Our volunteers verify their condition. This is to make sure that the support reaches the right hands,” Mahi added.
In Mumbra, the Care and Unity Foundation is fast becoming a lifeline for the poor, especially during festivals. With an organised structure and a team of committed volunteers, the foundation distributed meat to over 3,200 families in 2024 and is aiming for 5,000 homes this year.
Asjad Qureshi, a representative of the NGO, shared, “We started this three years ago. In 2023, we reached 1,800 homes. This year, we have already crossed 3,200 and are still going.”
To reach the poor efficiently, the organisation released four mobile numbers where both donors and recipients could get in touch. “If someone wants to donate but cannot bring the meat, our volunteers collect it. If someone needs meat but cannot come to us, we take it to their homes,” Qureshi said.
He revealed that on the first day of Eid, they distributed 2,168 packets, and on the second day, 1,400 packets were delivered across several underprivileged localities such as Devi, Dattowadi, Azad Nagar, Sheel Phata (tribal area), Kalyan Phata (Deva Road), Bhaskar Nagar, and Ambernath.
In Mira Road, various groups also stepped forward. Maulana Anzar-ul-Haq of Jamiat Ulema (Mahmood Madani group) reported that 43 poor families received Eid meat from their side. At Bilal Masjid in Shanti Nagar Sector-11, 125 kilograms of goat meat were distributed by volunteers, said resident Naeem Ansari.
Mufti Hammad Nomani, head of Darul Uloom Sulaimaniya, told Clarion India, “Our madrasa gave meat to around 200 people, including orphans and destitute women. Locals appreciated our efforts and we are grateful for that.”
He added that their goal is not just distribution but also to revive the spirit of brotherhood and compassion during religious festivals, which, sadly, many people have forgotten.
Among all the groups, Jamaat-e-Islami in Mira Road stood out for its well-planned and dignified approach. The organisation distributed 750 grams of meat each to 188 families, carefully selected through regular door-to-door surveys.
Syed Anis Hussain, the secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Mira Road, explained how their system works. “We don’t just show up on Eid. Throughout the year, we provide educational, medical, and financial help to families. This means we already know who is in need.”
He added, “We also collect and distribute Fitra during Ramadan in an organised way. These same families are then supported during Eid-Al-Azha too. Our goal is to make them strong in the long term, not just help once.”
What makes these efforts even more powerful is the silence surrounding them. While some media outlets are quick to blame or stereotype Muslims, they rarely highlight their social work.
“Why is it that when one Muslim does something wrong, the whole community is blamed? But when thousands of Muslims quietly serve the poor, no one mentions it?” asked a volunteer from Mumbra, who wished to remain unnamed.
Another organiser said, “We don’t do this for headlines. But it hurts to see how Muslims are targeted while our good work is ignored. The poor know what we are doing, and that’s enough for us.”
From Mumbra to Malad and Mira Road, this Eid-Al-Azha showed how Muslims in India are not just practising faith, but also carrying forward the values of charity, sharing, and humanity. The volunteers worked day and night, managing donations, packaging meat, and ensuring that no one was left out.
“This is what our religion teaches us — to care for others, regardless of their background. Many of the people who received meat are not even Muslim. We don’t ask their religion; we look at their need,” said another member of the Care and Unity Foundation.
Despite increasing pressure on the Muslim community in India, especially from right-wing forces and biased coverage, these actions speak louder than hate. The people helping others this Eid didn’t carry swords; they carried packets of meat, smiles, and hope.
While certain groups try to spread fear and divide society, Muslims in areas like Mumbra, Mira Road, and Malad are quietly building bridges through compassion.
If only more people and the media paid attention to these examples, perhaps our society could be more united, more fair, and more kind.
As Abdul Rashid Mahi from Noorani Masjid Committee summed it up, “Helping the poor is not an option for us. It is our duty. This is what it means to be a good Muslim, and a good Indian.”
