Tubod, Lanao del Norte – Karim Ali, a corn farmer in Balo-i,  is one of the recipient of halal beef distributed by the Turkish Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (TCCP) and the provincial government of Lanao del Norte in the towns of Sultan Naga Dimaporo and Balo-i.


The beef distribution was made during the celebration of Edil Adha or Festival of Sacrifice of Islam.


“This is a big help to our family. This gift from our Muslim brothers in Turkey will already last us for a week”, Ali expressed.

The Ali family is only one of 9600 families that received 2.5 kilos each from the Provincial Community Affairs Office (PCAO) which was tasked to identify the receipt families of the festival.


“We are distributing the beef to all indigent families in these areas regardless of their religion or ethnic background”, TCCP Executive Vice-President Ferhat Kazkondu explained.


TCCP have allotted 2.8 million pesos for the purchase of 200 heads of cattle to be distributed in the two Lanao provinces.

Another 600 heads of cattle have also been allotted for the Zamboanga peninsula.


The cattle that were slaughtered in the festival were at least 2 years old as prescribed by Islamic teachings.


“The people are very happy to receive the beef”, observed Governor Khalid Dimaporo. “We are motivated to make a provincial program for the Edil Adha to supplement this laudable program of our Turkish brothers”, Dimaporo added.  


Since its start 10 years ago in Zamboanga City, the beef distribution program has also been implemented in several cities in Luzon like San Juan, Taguig and Quezon. In Mindanao, this year’s Korban Festival has been celebrated in the cities of Davao, Zamboanga and Marawi as well as in the Lanao provinces.


Throughout the country over 1000 cattle heads will be slaughtered during the entire month of November for distribution to more than 30,000 families nationwide.


“This is another proof that Islam is a peaceful religion and that Muslims are peace-loving people”, Dimaporo concluded. VNL/PIO-LDN