Urban farming is rising in popularity and Muslim farmers in the region are planting their seeds in this fertile soil. In Ellicot City, a few minutes from the Dar at Taqwa Islamic Center, down the road from the petting zoo at the Clark's Elioak Farm is the 33-acre Omar Farm.
Driving 100 miles to Pennsylvania looking for a lamb for his son’s aqeeqah was what finally convinced Ali Omar, an engineer from East Turkistan, that he needed invest in his own farm. “It was inconvenient, expensive and many farms are really far from residential areas,” says Adila, his wife and business partner.
“Usually, it takes the whole day on Eid to perform the udhiya ... clean the animal,” says Adila, “because the farms are so far away.” Urban farming makes food as "local" as possible, and decreases the "food miles" associated with long-distance transportation.
“We utilize a well-preserved, traditional techniques of livestock breeding and are integrating them into the American way,” says the couple, who is passionate about their new venture. The Omars are not new to business; they ran a successful 150 room hotel and renowned restaurant in Shanghai. But the pursuit of a life without religious restrictions forced them to sell everything and head to the United States. As Uyghurs, they have lived under Chinese oppression for decades.
The opening of the farm has sent a ripple of excitement in the Uyghur diaspora.
Serene, lined by trees, with horse fencing, pastures where sheep roam free, woods, a pond, a barn, an organic vegetable garden, the 33-acre farm yields hay and pasture-raised livestock: sheeps, and goats. Adila and Ali bought the farm, in cash, this May.
Each animal is taken care of by the Omars for at least three months before they are harvested. They roam the pastures and are grass fed. There is enough brush and brambles for the goats which prefer it to grass. “We make sure they don't eat weeds,” she said. A major benefit of raising animals on pasture is that their products are healthier. Compared with feedlot meat, meat from grass-fed beef, bison, lamb and goats has less saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories. It also has more vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and a number of health-promoting fats, including omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid. The animals are also low stressed.
“It was so hot a few weeks ago, so we took them to the pond in forest [to] protect them from the heat.” says Adila. “We are busy from fajr to Isha. The entire family— my mother in law, sister in law, brother in law, husband— pitches in,”
“We wanted to know where the meat we were eating was coming from,” says Ali Omar.
“I want to know who is doing the zabiha of my meat, is the person a practicing Muslim?”
When you grow up under sanction on your religious expression than you take your religion seriously.
Both Adila and Ali grew up taking care of the animals in their homes. “In my country we eat fresh meat, we raise the animals in the gardens, in our backyards,” says Adila. Ali’s father would slaughter the animal himself. This is an act of worship. “Outside meat wasn’t allowed in our homes as it wasn’t clear who was performing the zabih [harvest],” shares Ali. Many Muslims believe that consuming haram contributes to spiritual diseases.
The manager is from El Salvador and used to run his own farm.
Animals are available for Udhiya for $280 with a $30 processing fee. The Omar Farm has teamed up with Ar-Rashidun Community Center and will distribute the portion for the needy to families in Washington D.C.
A slaughter house is being built, as well as a covered picnic pavilion, and a playing lot so families can spend time at the farm while their Eid sacrifice is taking place. The farm will start serving organic chicken, and vegetables in the near future. Goats and sheep are also available for sale throughout the year.
“We hope this year a lot of people will benefit from our services,” she says. “If you provide ease for a Muslim, then Allah will provide ease for you,” he adds.
The Omar Farm is located on 4713 Manor Lane Ellicott City, Maryland 21042. Cell:301-919-3329 Email: omarfarm@uymerica.comWebsite: www.uymerica.com
Comments powered by CComment