Holy Month of Ramadhan set to begin

Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura flanked by Nairobi County Commissioner David Simiyu and Jamia Mosque Administrator Faisal Kassim flag off relief food outside Nyayo House in Nairobi on March 9, 2024, during the National Launch of the Ramadhan Special Relief Allocation and commencement of the distribution initiative for Nairobi County. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The Muslim community is expected to commence the Holy Month of Ramadhan this week.

This was announced by the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) chairperson, Hassan Kuria Ole Naado in Nairobi.

He said that fasting as a religious obligation is God's special blessing upon His servants and is a foundation for perfection and spiritual upliftment for humanity.

"Ramadhan apart from being one of the pillars of Islamic faith, its a period that we Muslims are required to inculcate the values of discipline, love, forgiveness, giving and sharing," he said.

Ole Naado explained that it's a month during which Muslims strengthen their devotion to Allah the almighty, reflect on their deeds in society and seek even more divine Grace.

He announced that distribution of the donations to help needy families during the Ramadhan period was ongoing across the country.

"As we speak today, the President's Iftar donation is being distributed to various needy families across the country through the national government administration structures and in collaboration with the leadership of Supkem in counties," he said.

Ole Naado urged the Kenya Revenue Authority to comply with the President's directive that waived tax on the consignments of dates that will be imported for purposes of Ramadhan.

"We call upon the Kenya Revenue Authority to activate its staff and relevant agencies to ensure that all those importing dates for Ramadhan enjoy the tax waiver granted by the president," he said.