As Eid al-Adha approaches in 2026, the global landscape for millions of Muslims is a tale of two realities—one marked by soaring costs, hunger, and humanitarian struggle, the other by efforts to ease travel and offer perks for those on the move. While Islamic Relief and aid organizations grapple with unprecedented challenges in delivering food to the world’s most vulnerable, airlines like Etihad Airways are rolling out initiatives to help travelers navigate the busy holiday season with greater ease.
According to Islamic Relief, this year’s Eid al-Adha is shaping up to be the most expensive ever for many communities, particularly in regions already battered by conflict and economic crisis. The ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, compounded by global supply chain disruptions, has sent prices spiraling and made the delivery of life-saving aid more difficult than ever. In Sudan, where three years of war have created what Islamic Relief describes as the world’s biggest hunger crisis, the cost of delivering the organization’s annual qurbani food distributions has soared by over 60% in just the past three months. Bread prices have doubled, and fuel costs have nearly tripled—up by a staggering 182%—since early 2026.
“The war in the Middle East is increasing people’s suffering here in Sudan as it’s cutting off trade and imports. For many vulnerable families this is the most expensive Eid they have experienced and people are worrying about how they will feed their children,” said Shihab Mohamed Ali, Islamic Relief’s senior programme manager in Sudan, as quoted in a recent statement from the organization. He added, “A few months ago we could buy six pieces of bread with 1,000 Sudanese pounds, but now you can only buy three. Fuel prices have risen by 182%, which automatically increases the price of other commodities. The price of distributing qurbani has rocketed from $5 per can to $8. Local food production is hampered as well, as fertilisers, seeds and agricultural inputs are getting scarce in the markets. The impact is affecting people all over Sudan but it’s worst in regions like Kordofan and Darfur where there is heavy fighting and highest levels of malnutrition.”
This year, Islamic Relief had planned to distribute canned qurbani meat to more than 92,500 displaced people in Sudan, but the relentless rise in costs threatens to force painful cutbacks. The organization warns that unless funding increases, the number of families reached or the amount of meat provided per family may have to be significantly reduced. For many, qurbani meat is the only protein they will consume this month—a vital lifeline in the fight against malnutrition.
The crisis is not limited to Sudan. Across Somalia, where drought has pushed families to the brink of starvation, the cost of fuel has more than doubled—from about $0.60 per litre to $1.50—driving up food prices and making it harder for aid to reach those in need. In Lebanon, ongoing attacks have displaced entire communities, and the price of a 20-litre fuel tank has jumped from $19 to $27, further inflating the cost of essential goods and services.
Islamic Relief’s teams report that these rising prices and rapidly fluctuating exchange rates have made it difficult to secure supplies. Vendors in Sudan are increasingly unwilling to sign contracts, fearing losses as costs continue to climb. Meanwhile, new fighting in Darfur and Kordofan has forced hundreds of thousands to flee toward Khartoum and other relatively safe areas. Community kitchens in Khartoum, once a lifeline for displaced families, are now closing at an alarming rate—over 40% have shuttered in the past six months due to lack of funds and skyrocketing prices. Many kitchens that remain open are turning people away, unable to afford the ever-increasing cost of supplies.
Islamic Relief is calling for urgent diplomatic efforts to resolve the Middle East crisis and for steps to ensure that humanitarian aid, fuel, food, medicine, and other essentials can flow unimpeded into affected regions. The organization’s annual qurbani program is a crucial part of its work, providing meat to vulnerable families during Eid al-Adha. In 2025, Islamic Relief distributed qurbani to 3.2 million people in 29 countries. But with funding shortfalls and soaring costs, the reach of this year’s program hangs in the balance.
While the humanitarian sector contends with these daunting obstacles, another facet of the Eid al-Adha season is unfolding in the realm of travel. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is bracing for a surge in demand as families and individuals across the globe prepare to mark the festival and embark on summer journeys. The airline has launched a suite of initiatives designed to make travel during this peak period smoother and more rewarding for its customers.
From May 19 to August 16, 2026, Etihad is offering travelers who use its City Check-In locations in Abu Dhabi a special deal: for AED 40 per person, guests can check in up to 24 hours before departure, drop off their bags, and avoid the airport rush. They’ll also receive 1,000 Etihad Guest Miles and a 3kg additional baggage allowance—a welcome perk for those traveling with gifts or extra luggage for the holiday. The City Check-In facilities, including Cruise Terminal 1, Mussafah, Madinat Zayed, and Lulu Hypermarket in Al Ain, are designed to streamline the process and ease congestion at the airport.
For those who prefer the comfort of home, Etihad’s Home Check-In service in Abu Dhabi offers the same rewards—1,000 Guest Miles and 3kg extra baggage—alongside conveniences like baggage collection, seat selection, and boarding pass delivery, all coordinated through the Morafiq app or website. Early Bag Drop remains available at Zayed International Airport up to 24 hours before departure (or 12 hours before U.S.-bound flights), and guests checking in during designated off-peak periods at the airport can snag an extra 3kg baggage allowance as well.
Etihad is also urging travelers to plan ahead, recommending arrival at the airport at least three hours before departure during the busy Eid and summer travel window. The airline’s mobile app allows passengers to check in from 30 hours before their flight, access digital boarding passes, receive real-time updates, and even track their baggage on selected routes. Travelers are reminded to review baggage guidelines—power banks, smart bags with removable batteries, and e-smoking devices must be carried in cabin luggage only.
For those stopping over in Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Pass offers discounts at major attractions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan, and Yas Island, plus a complimentary local SIM or eSIM with data—making it easier for visitors to explore the city and stay connected during their trip.
Founded in 2003, Etihad Airways has grown rapidly to become one of the world’s leading airlines, connecting Abu Dhabi to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. The carrier’s efforts to enhance customer experience during Eid al-Adha and throughout the summer reflect a broader trend among airlines to accommodate the evolving needs of travelers in a post-pandemic world.
As the world prepares for Eid al-Adha, the contrast between those struggling to secure a single meal and those planning journeys across continents is particularly stark. Both realities are shaped by the same global forces—conflict, economic uncertainty, and shifting supply chains—but the outcomes could not be more different. For millions, the hope is that urgent action and international cooperation will help bridge this divide, allowing all to celebrate the holiday with dignity and peace.