Bhakti Chalak

The Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal and the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANIS), organized a statewide blood donation campaign week around Bakri Eid to give a contemporary touch to the sacred Islamic festival and to use religion for the unity of humans.

Blood donation is a life-saving act as even a single unit of blood can save three lives. The scarcity of blood in hospitals is a critical issue, as this human tissue is vital for patients being treated for accidents, or those undergoing surgeries, cancer treatments, or childbirth.

By organising blood donation on the sacred occasion of Bakri Eid, the Muslim community has given a broader meaning to the spirit of sacrifice. They have demonstrated that 'qurbani' (sacrifice) is not limited to animal offerings but extends to a feeling of dedicating oneself to society.

These initiatives saw contributions not only from the Muslim community but also from people of other faiths.

A woman donating blood at Pune Camp

Blood donation camps were organized in various branches across the state, including cities like Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Raigad, Jalgaon, Latur, Nandurbar, and Saswad. The campaign saw enthusiastic participation from not only Muslims but also individuals from all faiths.

The 'Statewide Blood Donation Week' initiative organized by the Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal received an overwhelming response in Pune. A large blood donation camp was successfully held at Rashtra Seva Dal, Barrister Nath Pai Auditorium, Parvati Payatha.

Upholding values of religious harmony, scientific outlook, and humanity, this camp also featured programs for pledging post-mortem organ and body donation alongside blood collection.

For the past 15 years, the Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal has been organizing blood donation camps on Bakri Eid, offering a humanitarian alternative to traditional animal sacrifice. This year, hundreds of citizens, including people from all faiths, participated. The Mandal successfully conveyed the message of saving lives through blood donation and promoting social unity.

Blood donation campa at Amravati

The collected blood, in collaboration with local blood banks, will be used for needy patients in government and private hospitals. The organ and body donation pledge program aimed to instill a scientific perspective, receiving enthusiastic responses from attendees.

Shamsuddin Tamboli, President of the Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal, said, "The message of sacrifice and brotherhood of Bakri Eid is actualized through initiatives like blood donation. It is crucial to celebrate this festival in a community-oriented way, adhering to government regulations and avoiding religious tension."

He expressed joy over the interfaith participation and urged continued encouragement for such initiatives in the future. Through blood and organ donation pledges, the citizens of Pune set an ideal example of humanity, earning praise from all sectors.

Speaking to mediapersons at Saswad, Purandar taluka in Pune, a donor said, “The Muslim community can sacrifice not only goats but also their blood for this nation."

Through these camps, the Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal conveyed the message of giving religious festivals a social and scientific dimension.

Prof. Nasreen Ansari stated that the Mandal intends to organize similar initiatives in the future. Earlier, Haji Mubarak Sheikh appealed to citizens to participate in the blood donation camp during his address at the Friday and Eidgah prayers.

In Satara, the 'Blood Donation Week' initiative, jointly organized by the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti and the Muslim Satyashodhak Samaj in Satara, received an overwhelming response. Many people donated blood at the camp organized in collaboration with Mauli Blood Bank in Satara.

Blood donation camp at Saswad

Avinash Patil, Executive President of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, stated, "The message of sacrifice and devotion of Bakri Eid is realized through humanitarian acts like blood donation. We have been conducting this initiative for 11 years, and this year too, citizens of Satara participated enthusiastically."

Representatives of the Muslim Satyashodhak Samaj added, "Giving religious festivals a social and humanitarian form is the true quest for truth. Through blood donation, we strive to connect society and help those in need."

Mauli Blood Bank has consistently collaborated on this initiative. The collected blood will support needy patients in government and private hospitals. The response from Hindu, Muslim, and other communities to this camp serves as an excellent example of social unity.

On the occasion of the sacred festival, the 'Blood Donation Week' initiative, organized by the Nandurbar branches of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti and the Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal, began enthusiastically at the District Hospital. The camp was inaugurated by District Surgeon Dr. Naresh Padvi. This initiative, conducted in Nandurbar for the past three years, once again brought forth messages of humanity, environmental protection, and social harmony.

Bakri Eid is a festival that conveys the message of sacrifice and offering. In line with the original spirit of this festival, the committee appealed for the adoption of blood donation as an eco-friendly and constructive alternative to traditional animal sacrifice. On this occasion, Vasant Valvi, District Executive President of the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, said, "Blood donation is truly a form of sacrifice. It can save many lives and spread the message of humanity in society."

At the camp organized at the District Hospital, department head Dr. Rama Wadekar, Jayesh Sonawane, and staff successfully conducted the blood collection process. Vasant Valvi, Suryakant Agale, Feroz Khan, Praveenkumar Dhandre, and many other activists strengthened the initiative by donating blood. For the successful organization of the camp, the committee's Principal Secretary Baldev Vasaikar, Praveen Dhandre, Sandeep Kumar Akhade, Raju Chaudhary, Parag Jagdev, Rajendra Pimpal, Mangesh Waghmare, and Sudhir Panpatil put in special efforts.

Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti's Panvel branch, along with various social organizations, organized a grand blood donation and health check-up camp at the Darul Aman Mosque premises in New Panvel, led by the Darul Aman Trust.

The camp, conducted in collaboration with Rotary Blood Bank, Criticare Lifeline Hospital Panvel, and Shankara Eye Hospital, received an overwhelming response. This year, 23 people donated blood, while over 100 individuals benefited from health and eye check-ups.

The Maharashtra Minority NGO Forum Panvel, A.F.T. Trust Panvel, Maktab-e-Noor-ul-Uloom, Aai Samajkalyan Sanstha Wavanje, Sanvidhan Pracharak, Sarvodaya, Gramswarajya Samiti Maharashtra, and Leprosy Eradication Committee Shantiwan actively participated in this camp. A.M. Inamdar, Allauddin Sheikh, Asif Qureshi, Aarti Naik, Bagade Kaka, Praveen Jathar, Babasaheb Chimane, and many other dignitaries were present.

Muslim youth donating blood at Panvel

At Amravati, the blood donation drive was jointly organized by the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti, Vijaya Foundation, and Kranti Navanirmati Rashtriya Sanghatana.

The camp began with a tree plantation ceremony by the first blood donor, also conveying a message of environmental protection.

On this occasion, Vijaya Karole said, "The message of sacrifice and devotion of Bakri Eid is actualized through humanitarian acts like blood donation. This initiative is an attempt to connect society and preserve the environment."

In Kolhapur, Muslim youth from Sirat Mohalla in Jawahar Nagar organized a grand blood donation camp. This drive ended with the collection of 87 units of blood.

Complementing this, the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (ANIS) and the Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal in Kolhapur demonstrated their enduring commitment to humanity.

For an impressive thirteen years, they've championed a modern interpretation of Eid al-Adha, urging blood donation instead of animal sacrifice. This long-standing tradition culminated in another successful camp at the Chhatrapati Pramila Raje Hospital Blood Bank.

Here's the translation of the Marathi text into English, keeping a natural and engaging tone:

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At Gondawale, 25 donors joined the camp which was organized in association with the Gondavale Gram Panchayat.

Gondawale's Sarpanch Jayprakash Katte and Deputy Sarpanch Sanjay Mane were present as Assistant Police Inspector Dattatray Darade from Dahivadi Police Station inaugurated the blood donation drive.