Muslims commend Government for declaring Eid Al Adha public holiday

Muslim faithful in Kilifi County today hailed President Uhuru Kenyatta for declaring Monday an Eid al Adha national public holiday.

They noted that gazetting the celebration as the second public holiday after Eid Ul Fitr was a clear commitment of the Government to foster national cohesion.

Hundreds of Muslims faithful turned up in different mosques for the special Eid al Adha prayers a day which marked with offerings and assistance to the needy in society.

A scholar in Kilifi County Muhdhar Ahmed Badawy asked the Muslims not to take the honour by the Government for granted as there were nations where the majority are Muslims and do not get such recognition by their governments.

Addressing Muslim faithful at Masjid Al Noor Mosque in Malindi Badawy, said it was time Muslims reflected on the need to embrace unity, peace and love to all regardless of their religious backgrounds.

“This is a day to send a message to all Muslims, Kenya and the whole world that Islam is a religion of love and peace,’’ Badawy said.

Eid al-Adha or festival of the sacrifice is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year.   It honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command.  The other festival is Eid Ul Fitr which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadhan.

Badawy called on faithful to study Islamic religion to understand its teachings will help end any differences or conflicts.

He said all those who marked Eid Al Adha celebrations on Sunday and those who celebrated on Monday should join hands and celebrate.

The scholar said Eid Al Adha was a special day for Muslims to offer sacrifices and share their wealth to the poor and vulnerable regardless of their religion.

“When Ibrahim was ordered by God to sacrifice his own son Isaac, he consulted his son and the son told him to do as per the wishes of God,’’ he said.

He said the teachings of Abraham should be embraced in families such that parents consult their children on matters before making critical decisions.

Badawy asked Muslims to divide their sacrifices into three shares one for themselves, friends and neighbours and lastly for the poor,’’ he said.

Mahsen Shariff Albeity who is in charge of Masjid Al Noor Mosque in Malindi also thanked the president for honouring the Muslims and asked wished him long life for recognizing the Muslims.

He re-iterated Badawy’s plea by calling on Muslims to study the religion so as to avoid misleading interpretations that could create differences and conflicts.

“We urge Muslims to sacrifice today and share it among the people regardless of their religious background,’’ he said.