-This to allow Muslims celebrate Eid Ul Adha, one of the holiest celebrations in the Islamic calendar and observed annually across the globe.
MAARUFU MOHAMED-GOLFNEWSLINKS;
Its excitements and joy as the Kenya government declared Wednesday, June 28th a public holiday to allow Muslims observe Eid-Ul-Adha, one of the holiest celebrations in the Islamic calendar and observed annually across the globe.
Kenya’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki made the announcement on Monday in a gazette notice dated June 26, 2023.
Part of the gazette notice says “It is notified for the general information of the public that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 (2) and part II of the Schedule, as read with section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that Wednesday, the 28th June, 2023, shall be a public holiday to mark Eid-Ul-Adha (Idd-Ul-Azha).”
Eid-ul-Adha prayers set to be marked in Kenya on Wednesday, June 28th and Thursday,June,29th , is the culmination of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims.
This is one of the Holiest celebrations in the Islamic calendar marking the tenth day in the final (twelfth) month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar.
Already over 4,000 Kenya Muslims are at the Holy City of Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia perfming the pilgrimage (Hajji) rituals.
The first batch of 234 Kenyans were flagged off by the Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, flanked by Supkem Officials on June 14th and the last flights departed on June, 22nd.
Duale pointed out that Religion is the bedrock of any community and was delighted to see off the Muslim community joining other Muslims worldwide in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform this year’s 1444/2023 Hajj (Pilgrimage) which one of the pillars of Islamic faith.
Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) Secretary General Sheikh Khalifa Mohamed said the Islamic month of Dhu Al-Hijjah that marks the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia is one of Islam’s five pillars, and is followed by Eid Al Adha on the tenth day.
Khalifa said this festival holds deep significance and is marked by various rituals and acts of devotion when it falls on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, following the completion of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.
“Eid ul-Adha is celebrated by Muslims all around the world in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, which is the twelfth month of the Islamic or lunar calendar and it is the second major Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims after Eid-ul-Fitr,” Khalifa.
He further explained that this is also the period where Muslims travel to the Holy City of Mecca in the Kingdom Saudi Arabia to perform the fifth pillar of Islam known as “Hajji” an obligation which must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim in the world who can afford, and is at least done once in a life time.
Khalifa pointed out that the other pillars of Islam are faith (Shahada), prayers (said five times a day), fasting the holy Month of Ramadhan and offering of Zakat, a charity to the poor amounting to one-fifth of one’s wealth.
The Sheikh noted that the day of this festivals celebrations also reminds Muslims of the values of sacrifice, obedience, gratitude and caring for others.
“It encourages acts of charity as Muslims are encouraged to give to the poor and needy during this time and it reinforces the importance of community, empathy and the spirit of sharing, “said Khalifa.
According to Religious books, Hajj is an annual religious pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca and is required of every physically and financially capable Muslim at least once in their lifetime and is also the tenth day of the month that marks Eid Al Adha.
The journey takes faithful’s along a path traversed by the Prophet Muhammad some 1,400 years ago where they commemorates Abraham’s sacrifice who was subjected to a severe test by GOD (Allah) to sacrifice his son Ismael, which Abraham accepted.
But as Abraham was leading his son to his fate, God (Allah) sent him a sheep to replace Ishmael on the sacrificial place and since then Muslims worldwide slaughter livestock to commemorate the occasion.
During the Eid prayers early in the morning, Muslims in the Country usually gather in open grounds and some Mosques to offer prayers led by Imams or Muslims leaders.
This is also a time of great joy, unity and gratitude for Muslims across the globe when families come together and communities gather to celebrate this auspicious occasion and also the time of the year again for Muslims to dress in their finest clothes.
The prayers on that day usually reminds Muslims of the values of sacrifice, obedience to God and compassion for others through the sacrifice of a Cattle, a Goat, Sheep, Cow or Camel and the Meat from the animal is divided into three parts shared by the family, relatives or friends and one the less fortunate members of the Society.
The day also allows Muslims to come together and strengthen their bonds of friendship and kinship with families and friends exchanging greetings, visit one another and share festive meals.
In the country, Eid Ul Adha also known as Eid Ul Hajji, is a day that starts with Muslims all dressed in their best clothes, going to the mosque or open grounds for prayers early in the morning.
For Muslims, the day begins with morning prayers, followed by the exchange of food and gifts with family and friends.
In Mombasa livestock farmers from North Eastern Kwale, Taita, Tana River and lamu are enjoying booming business from Muslims buying goats and sheep for the celebrations that usually take a week to complete.
ENDS;
