As millions of Muslims across Nigeria marked Eid-al-Adha 2025 otherwise known as Qurban Bayram with the traditional sacrifice of animals, thousands of underprivileged families who never imagined they could participate in the sacred act found themselves overwhelmed with joy and gratitude—thanks to the generous intervention of the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV).
The Turkish humanitarian organisation successfully distributed 7,650 cows to vulnerable Muslim communities across 11 Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, ensuring that the spirit of sacrifice, unity, and compassion reached even the most remote and underserved areas.
Muslim News correspondent who visited two centres – Ibadan and Ogbomoso, in Oyo State, the only Southwest State among the 11 beneficiaries states, confirmed the successful implementation of the initiative, which is part of TDV’s globally respected Qurbani project.
For many beneficiaries, the gesture was more than just meat on the table—it was the revival of a long-lost hope.
“We never thought we would be able to slaughter a cow or share in the blessings of Eid like others,” Yusuf Ismail, a resident of Ibadan told Muslim News during the distribution, adding that, “But this year, Allah made it possible through the Turkish brothers. May they be rewarded.”
The remaining ten (10) states covered in the 2025 distribution include Bauchi, Sokoto, Gombe, Kano, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, and Jigawa — areas where economic hardship and food insecurity have made Eid sacrifices an unattainable dream for many.
Hüseyin Ortaç, TDV’s Religious Services Counselor in Abuja expressed appreciation to Almighty Allah for the successful Qurbani distribution, saying that the 32-member Turkish delegation coordinated the distribution of 7,650 cows to needy families across Nigeria during Eid-al-Adha.
Speaking with Muslim News, Ortaç explained that the team – who had arrived Nigeria on different days – underwent a one-day training session in Abuja before getting deployed to key states including Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, Bauchi, Gombe, and Oyo.
“On Salah day, all of them were seen on the field, slaughtering, calling the names of the donors, doing what is expected,” he said, adding that, “the initiative reached beneficiaries beyond the host states, with neighboring communities like Lagos, Ogun, Plateau, and Yobe receiving shares.
“People from Jigawa, Katsina, and Kaduna came to Kano to collect, while those in Niger and Nasarawa gathered in Abuja,” Ortaç noted.
He stated: “The objective is to make people feel happy during this festivity, and to ensure the poor receive from the rich, so they don’t feel marginalized.”
The Turkish Diyanet Foundation, known for its wide-ranging humanitarian efforts, has continued to demonstrate unwavering commitment to global Islamic solidarity.
It’s one of the organs of Turkiye’s Directorate of Religious Affairs – the highest religious body in Turkiye, headed by the Grand Mufti, Prof Ali Erbas, who led over 84,942 Turkiye pilgrims to Hajj 2025.
The Qurbani project remains one of the hallmark humanitarian initiatives of the Diyanet Foundation, which has consistently demonstrated commitment to alleviating hunger and fostering Islamic brotherhood—not only in Nigeria but across several continents.
The foundation’s longstanding interventions include mosque construction, Ramadan iftar meals, provision of clean water through boreholes, educational scholarships, and even free surgical procedures.
With this year’s Qurbani initiative, TDV not only provided nourishment to thousands of households but also reinforced a sense of belonging and spiritual fulfillment during one of Islam’s most sacred celebrations.
Established on March 13, 1975, the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation has grown into one of the world’s foremost humanitarian organisations, carrying out charitable activities in over 149 countries.
From mosque-building and education to healthcare and food distribution, the foundation has touched countless lives without discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, or nationality.
According to official data obtained by Muslim News Nigeria, the Diyanet Foundation has so far constructed 4,121 mosques globally. In 2024 alone, its Qurbani distribution reached 747,052 beneficiaries worldwide.
Additionally, no fewer than 44,130 students benefited from its scholarship and education support programme last year.
In Nigeria, almost 700 applicants have applied for high school and undergraduate education under the Diyanet Foundation in Turkey in 2025.
However, 90 applicants were shortlisted for the interview, and the result of the interview is not yet out. The scholarship has covered everything including flight tickets, accommodation monthly token, and the rest.
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