Turkish school slaughters 150 cows for poor families in Mindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A Turkish school here slaughtered at least 150 cows and distributed the meat to 7,000 poor families in observance of Eid'l Adha or “feast of sacrifice.”

Zafer Elen, director of Turkish Tolerance School, said the number of donated cows slaughtered on Thursday was lesser compared to last year's 350 cows due to conflict happening in Turkey.

The Turkish Tolerance got its support this year from Australian Islam community through the Australian Relief Organization (ARO).

Ozer Yilmazlar, a member of the 15-man delegation of ARO, said it was their first time to witness actual “kurban” or slaughtering of cows that will be shared to poor community.

“We are seeing it first hand and the unique way of observing the Eid’l Adha,” Yilmazlar said.

Elen said the slaughtering of meat to be distributed to poor families was also done in the nearby Basilan.

Elen said they were saddened by the recent bombing in the city of a passenger bus that killed a student and injured 33 others.

He said the conflict in Turkey and Zamboanga City will not deter them from sharing with the poor.

“In this time of religious activity, we want all community to come together and live in peace,” Ellen said. “We are all created by one God, one Allah, we don't need to be separated because of ethnicity.”