Eid al Adha: Excitement as faithful join world in the 'feast of the sacrifice'

Muslim faithful during the celebration of Eid -Ul-Adha at Masjid Noor mosque South C Nairobi on June 28, 2023. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

On Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki declared today a public holiday.

Yesterday, Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) Secretary General Sheikh Khalifa Mohamed said the festival reminds muslims of the values of sacrifice, obedience, gratitude and caring for others.

At least 4,000 Kenyans travelled to Mecca to perform the pilgrimage, an obligation that must be carried out at least once in a lifetime by every able-bodied muslim who can afford it.

Other pillars of islam are faith (Shahada), prayers (said five times a day), fasting and offering of Zakat, a charity to the poor amounting to one-fifth of one's wealth.

Muslim faithful during the celebration of Eid -Ul-Adha at Masjid Noor mosque South C Nairobi on June 28, 2023. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

But as Abraham was leading his son to his fate, God (Allah) sent him a sheep to replace Ishmael at the sacrificial place and since then Muslims worldwide slaughter livestock to commemorate the occasion.

During the early morning Eid prayers, Muslims across the country usually gather in open grounds and in some mosques led by imams or muslim leaders to offer prayers.

In Mombasa, livestock traders at the Mwembe Tayari Market reported booming business as muslims bought goats and sheep for the celebrations.

Muslim faithfuls arrives at Sir Ali Muslims grounds for Eid UL Adha prayers on Wednesday, June, 28, 2023. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Muslim faithfuls at Eid al Adha prayers. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Muslim faithfuls at Eid al Adha prayers. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Photos by Elvis Ogina and Samson Wire