This week learn about Eid Al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, and a new storytelling platform that hopes to educate BIPOC communities about health care options. And while you’re thinking about healthcare, it’s men’s mental health month. Learn more about why it’s important for men to take care of themselves with Social Worker Mubeen Qureshi.
Muslims fast during Dhul Hijjah, prepare for Eid Al-Adha
Eid Al-Adha is the celebration that commemorates the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim in the Islamic faith. He was willing to sacrifice his son Ismail, his first child during old age, as asked by God through a dream. Ismail was replaced with a lamb. Muslims perform a similar sacrifice of a lamb or cow to spend their wealth to distribute among family, relatives, and the poor.
It also commemorates the end of hajj or the pilgrimage to Mecca, the fifth pillar of Islam. It’s mandatory for Muslims to perform once in a lifetime for those who can afford it, and are physically fit. During hajj, Muslims follow ritutals that commemorate Prophet Ibrahima and Muhammad, the last Prophet in Islam. The Kabba in Mecca was built by Prophets Ibrahim and Ismail.
For those who are not making their pilgrimage this year, they can fast during the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, the 12th Islamic month based on the lunar calendar, and sacrifice an animal to distrube the meat.
When is Eid this year?
Eid Al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the Dhul Hijja month in the Islamic calendar. This year it falls on June 28, 2023 in the U.S.
How is it celebrated? — in Bangladesh versus in the U.S.
I celebrated Eid Al-Adha once in Sylhet, Bangladesh in 2011. In my experience, this is the bigger Eid in Bangladesh — also called Qurbani or Bakra Eid in Bangla.
Many people can’t afford meat regularly, so it’s upon the relatives and neighbors to come together, purchase an animal for the Eid Al-Adha sacrifice. They pool the money and go to the shops specifically to purchase a lamb or cow, often walking miles back to their home. On the day of Eid after congregation prayer, they slaughter the animal. They then divide it between family, relatives, and the poor.
One way to do this is lay out large banana leafs and section them off with bamboos or twigs, putting a portion of meat for each family.
Once the meat is distributed, women quickly wash and cook the meat, adding aromatics, and spices in caramelized onions. Mangsho (meat curry) is often eaten with sawlor roti, or rice flour flatbread or soi pita, which soaks up the curry.
In the United States, many families celebrate this Eid by going to the mosque to pray in the congregation, dressing up in new or clean clothes, and visiting family or friends. The men go out to a farm and participate in the sacrifice. Some families sponsor an animal in either their home country or for those in need in lieu of bringing home fresh meat. It's more about going to the farm together, understanding this is something that is purifying wealth, and bringing people together. Here’s some pictures from last year’s Eid Al-Adha celebrations in Canton, Michigan.
NOWINCLUDED platform includes BIPOC health care stories
When Tiffany Whitlow, co-founder of NOWINCLUDED, realized there wasn’t a way for her to learn about people’s lived experiences with health care needs, she decided to create one. People can submit their own stories via the website or app or request a 1:1 interview to be a part of the platform. Whitlow says BIPOC stories are often left out of the health care narrative, and she wants people to have access to information to make informed decisions.
It’s Men’s Mental Health Month. Here’s what you should know to support the men around you.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that one in 10 men have depression or anxiety, but less than half seek treatment. Social Worker Mubeen Qureshi, owner of Qureshi Therapy, says that leads to unhealthy coping methods such as substance abuse, addictions and in some cases - suicide. That’s why Qureshi says its important to take one’s mental health seriously.
In many Asian American households people do not seek mental health care help due to stigma. South Asians, including Bangladeshi communities, often have unmet mental health care needs.
He says there’s a perception among minority communities that, “we have to keep it within the family.” Qureshi says its time to break those notions.
Read more: In Detroit, Bangladeshi women are also finding unique ways to meet mental health care needs.
“Seeking therapy to me is so important because it means that you’re strong enough actually to face the issues that you’re going through,” Qureshi says. “If you’re seeking help, it doesn’t mean that you’re less than. It just means that you’re ready to talk about the issues with someone.”
Qureshi says researching therapists and discussing any apprehensions about therapy upfront is one way to find a better match with a therapist that works for you.
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