Aid associations have already started their traditional fundraising due to the approaching Feast of the Sacrifice. However, the Foundation for Children with Leukemia (LÖSEV) and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) Mehmetçik Foundation are continuing their “donation without slaughtering” campaign using the Feast of the Sacrifice as a chance to increase their fundraising despite harsh criticism from the public and officials. Many observers and citizens have reacted adversely to the campaign, claiming that it is offensive and saying it should campaign at other times of the year, not during the Feast of the Sacrifice. The Religious Affairs Directorate has warned citizens that this kind of donation cannot replace the ritual of sacrifice.
The alternative donations for LÖSEV and the Mehmetçik Foundation are priced at TL 280, and the organizations say the full amount will be used for aid. Officials from both foundations claim they are not pushing their campaign but think the Feast of the Sacrifice will be an additional motivation and they are simply “reminding” donors.
Bardakoğlu held a press conference at the religious affairs mission on Saturday after arriving in Mecca. In addition to taking part in the pilgrimage himself, he will be overseeing the Religious Affairs Directorate’s arrangements made for Turkish citizens performing the hajj. “There cannot be a sacrificial donation if an animal is not slaughtered. The money donated has to be translated into a slaughtered animal. The slaughtered animal should be distributed. It cannot even be exchanged for money, it should not be converted into trade,” Bardakoğlu said. He said helping students and building hospitals was necessary but that every religious ritual has its own significance.
