Akika basically refers to the first hair of the newborn. It is an Islamic tradition to sacrifice an animal after the birth of a child as a thank you to Allah and to distribute some of the meat to the needy and people affected by poverty.
Furthermore, it is Sunnah, according to the actions of the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), to cut his first hair on the 7th day and give an aqiqa donation. The weight of the hair is calculated using the current gold value or, exceptionally, the silver value. The corresponding amount is then donated to people in need.
