Muslim leaders divided over date set for Idd-Ul-Adha holiday

A section of Muslim leaders have differed over the date set by the government to mark the Idd-Ul-Adha celebrations.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Friday, through a gazette notice, declared Tuesday, August 21 a public holiday to allow for celebration of the annual Idd-Ul-Adha.

“It is notified for the general information of the public that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government declares that Tuesday, the 21st August, 2018 be a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Azha, 2018,” read the notice signed by Dr. Matiang’i.

However, Sheikh Badru Khamis, the Secretary General of the Kenya Assembly of Ulammah, insists that the date set by the government is against Islamic teachings.

Sheikh Khamis says the celebrations should be held on Wednesday, August 22 and not Tuesday as planned. He claims that marking the day on August 21 will undermine the office of chief kadhi Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar and therefore cause division among the Muslim community in the country.

A contrary statement has, however, been issued by Masjid Musa leader Sheikh Abou Katanda, who says CS Matiang’i was advised by Muslim leaders in having Idd-Ul-Adha marked on Tuesday, August 22.

Idd-Ul-Adha also known as or Idd-ul-Hajj marks the end of Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage in Mecca.