The Kenya National Fatwa Council is now asking the government to consider gazetting next Thursday, June 29, 2023, as a holiday to allow Muslims in the country to celebrate Eid ul Adh-ha.
According to the council’s national Deputy Director Sheikh Abubakar Bini, Muslims in the country have already started marking the 10 days of Dhu al-Hijja, with Wednesday being the second day.
Bini, in an interview with Uasin Gishu News, said they have agreed on Thursday as the holiday based on the citing of the moon within the East African region.
“Our appeal to the President is that the upcoming Eid is on Thursday because this is the day other East African countries like Tanzania and Zanzibar will also be celebrating,” said the Kenya National Fatwa Council Deputy Director.
Eid ul Adh-ha is the second and the larger of the two main holidays celebrated in Islam – the other being Eid al-Fitr.
During the celebrations, Muslims who do not get an opportunity to travel to Mecca for Hajj are usually required to slaughter animals and share with the needy in society.
“The celebration honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his Ismail as an act of obedience to God’s command. However, before Abraham could sacrifice his son in the name of God, and because of his willingness to do so, God provided him with a lamb to kill in his son’s place,” explained Sheikh Bini.
Tough economic conditions
In commemoration of this intervention, animals are ritually sacrificed. Part of their meat is consumed by the family that offers the animal, while the rest of the meat is distributed to the poor and the needy.
But even with the current tough economic conditions, the Kenya National Fatwa Council Deputy Director is asking those with the ability to ensure they share with the needy.
“We understand the way the economy is but we ask that those with animals, let them offer to be slaughtered so that the meat can be used to share with those in need. It doesn’t mean that when the economy is bad we cannot celebrate,” said Sheikh Bini.
Other ways a Muslim can mark Eid ul Adh-ha is by fasting and reading the Quran.
The Kenya National Fatwa Council is now hoping that Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki will heed their request and gazette Thursday a national holiday.
CS Kindiki is the one that has the power to declare National Holidays.
