Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has declared Wednesday, April 10, a public holiday.
In a special gazette notice dated April 9, Kindiki stated the public holiday will be to celebrate Idd-ul-Fitr.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that Wednesday, the 10th of April, 2024 shall be a Public Holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr,” stated Kindiki.
Muslim leaders celebrated Iftar on Monday, April 8, at state house. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims during Ramadan.
It was therefore anticipated that the Muslim community would celebrate the Idd-ul-Fitr on Wednesday, April 10, especially after the crescent Moon was reported not sighted in Saudi Arabia.
Sighting of the crescent Moon marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar month.
Different countries can mark Ramadhan on different days depending on when the new crescent Moon is first visible. An Islamic month can have either 29 or 30 days.
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How Eid is Celebrated
Idd-ul-Fitr signifies the end of the sacred month of Ramadan, which commenced on March 11, 2024.
Also referred to as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” Idd-ul-Fitr begins with the sighting of the new moon. Muslims then engage in a collective prayer known as the Salat al-Eid. After that, they exchange greetings of “Eid Mubarak, share gifts and meals with loved ones.
It is a time of celebration, contemplation, and appreciation for Muslims globally, symbolizing the culmination of a period of fasting and spiritual development.
An integral aspect of Idd-ul-Fitr is the charitable practice called zakat al-fitr, where Muslims are obligated to offer money or food to those in need before the Eid prayer.
Also Read: Kindiki Declares Monday a Public Holiday
Ruto Hosts Muslim Leaders
While hosting Muslim leaders for the Iftar Dinner at State House, Nairobi on Monday, April 8, President William Ruto announced that the government would restructure the hustler fund to accommodate all Kenyans including Muslims.
The head of state explained that the Fund had assisted millions of Kenyans but indicated that it needed to be tailored to accommodate the Muslim’s religious principles.
“It is the first time I am receiving this request and I want to guarantee that I will process that request,
“I would value receiving those proposals so that we can process them because we want to live together as a society and we want to benefit together in the products that we have as a nation,” Ruto said.
