The Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha ended a few weeks ago, but the spirit of sacrifice and giving is timeless.

Members of the Yellowknife Islamic community on Wednesday distributed meat to local groups for the tradition of Qurbani, or sacrifice.

SA国际影视传媒淭his year we have about 33 families from Yellowknife who offered Qurbani,SA国际影视传媒� said Nazim Awan, chair of the Islamic Centre of Yellowknife, as he presented boxes of frozen beef, lamb and chicken to staff at the YK Food Bank. The meat was processed in Edmonton.

Part of Eid al-Adha, Qurbani involves giving one-third of the meat from a slaughtered animal to hungry people.

The other thirds go to oneSA国际影视传媒檚 family and their friends or extended family.

It has its origin in the biblical story of Abraham, whose willingness to sacrifice his son Issac to God demonstrated his faith, and God instead sent a ram to be sacrificed while Issac was spared.

SA国际影视传媒淪ome people give directly to neighbours and friends and others donate to Islamic centres. We decided this year on (helping out) the Food Bank, the Native WomenSA国际影视传媒檚 Society and the Alison McAteer House,SA国际影视传媒� Awan said.

About 500 lbs of meat was donated to the community groups this year, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淓ach year we give to different groups and not just one. We just want to give to needy people. Feeding the hungry is the best deed in Islamic culture. A hungry person is a hungry person, it doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 matter it the person is Islamic or not. God says the food doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 reach me, your intention reaches me.SA国际影视传媒�

Joann Teed, vice-president of the YK Food Bank, said, SA国际影视传媒淭his is the third time theySA国际影视传媒檝e donated meat to us,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 great to receive this and we always welcome donations of meat because itSA国际影视传媒檚 so expensive to buy.SA国际影视传媒�

The protein-packed donation comes at a time when the bankSA国际影视传媒檚 services are in greater demand.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e going through more food every week,SA国际影视传媒� said volunteer coordinator Coleen McClean-Cham. SA国际影视传媒淐ovid has raised the need for food in the community. There are more people out of work now. Different groups are coming in here compared to  before, itSA国际影视传媒檚 more diverse.SA国际影视传媒�

Food Bank staff plan to put the meat in a freezer until clients can come and pick it up.

Eid Al-adha is the second yearly Eid SA国际影视传媒� or festival SA国际影视传媒� after Ramadan. This year, Eid ran from the evening of July 30 to Aug. 3.