KOTA BARU: A visit to Kota Baru during Hari Raya Aidiladha gave three Muslim women from France a chance to experience the korban (ritual animal sacrifice) up close, a moment they described as both meaningful and eye-opening.
Siham Zouaoui, 28, her mother Amina Irbaiyne, 65, and their friend Nessrine Mameche, 26, joined local worshippers at the Muhammadi Mosque to observe the proceedings, which they said offered a new perspective on the significance of the Islamic ritual.
“I was genuinely excited to see how Aidiladha is celebrated here,” said Mameche, who arrived in Kota Baru three days earlier.
“Watching the korban carried out and seeing the community working together was moving and inspiring,” she added.
Zouaoui, who arrived with her mother two days ago and is continuing her travels to Pulau Perhentian, said the experience made a deep impression.
“As Muslim women, we feel truly grateful to be here on this special day. What stood out to me was how willingly and smoothly the volunteers carried out each part of the ritual,” she said.
The annual korban commemorates how Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Prophet Ismail, demonstrated their faith and obedience to God, offering a lesson in devotion and trust.
Muhammadi Mosque’s senior imam Nik Mohd Afif Azhan Nik Mohd Naidi said 36 cows were scheduled to be sacrificed this year, with 27 slaughtered today and the remaining nine on the third day of Aidiladha.
The programme, he added, was carried out in partnership with several organisations, including Bank Rakyat, which provided logistical and financial support.
“The meat will be distributed to around 2,000 people in need across Kota Baru,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
