Muslims end Ramadhan fasting with joy and prayers

Muslim community in Mombasa town say their early morning Idd-ul-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the Holy month of Ramadhan at the Memon Villa Square grounds.[Photo: Gideon Maundu]

NAIROBI, KENYA: Muslims across the country Monday celebrated Idd ul Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan.

Although the official Idd holiday for all Kenyans will be marked Tuesday, Muslims in many parts of the world observed the celebrations Monday. This was after a new moon was sighted, marking the end of Ramadhan.

Thousands of Muslims gathered in various locations across the country for prayers and celebrations.

In Nairobi, hundreds of Muslims gathered at Sir Ali Muslim Club in Parkroad, Ngara, and other locations around the city to offer prayers, after which they returned home to feast during the celebrations.

Muslims exchanged greetings and hugs while wishing other faithfuls “Eid Mubarak” (A blessed Eid!). They sampled special dishes and non-alcoholic drinks as they enjoyed the day with their families and friends.

In his goodwill message, President Uhuru Kenyatta said Kenyans join all Muslims in celebrating Idd-Ul-Fitr.

 ISLAMIC FAITH

“Your dedication to this intensive and involving pillar of the Islamic faith is admirable and inspiring to all Kenyans. Faith plays an integral role in our personal, communal and national life, by inculcating values and disciplining individuals into the vigilant observance of moral and ethical ideals,” President Uhuru said.

In Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate, businesses were virtually shut down as Muslims streamed to mosques for prayers.

“I thank God for successfully completing the fasting month of Ramadhan. I hope I have become a better person. I pray for peace in the country and harmony among Kenyans,” said Anisa Abdi, a resident of the estate.

In Mombasa, Chief Kadhi Sheikh Ahmad Muhdhar led faithful in prayer at Mombasa County stadium where he called for enhanced efforts to build bridges among Kenyans.

“More work is needed to bring Kenyans together, irrespective of their religious and ethnic differences. Let us focus on what brings us together, not what separates us,” he said.

And Sheikh Mohammad Dor called on Muslims to rededicate themselves to the fundamental ideals of Idd ul Fitr by helping the needy.

“It would not make sense for one family to have a lot to eat and celebrate while another family is miserable and going hungry. That goes against the spirit of Islam. Let us search out the needy ones in the community and assist them,” he advised.

In their speeches, Muslim leaders expressed concern over rising insecurity in the country, especially in the Coast region.

Sheikh Muhdhar described this year’s Ramadhan and Idd celebrations as the worst in decades due to unending violence that has claimed more than 100 lives in a month.

In Tana River County, students at Mau Mau Girls School were suspended after they went on the rampage on Sunday demanding to be given a break to celebrate the end of Ramadhan at home.

In Mombasa, Muslim thronged mosques, Tononoka grounds and the Municipal Stadium to celebrate the end of Ramadhan.

Mvita MP Abdhulswamad Nassir said many people were killed in the region during the holy month, citing the over 80 killed in Lamu County and last week’s shooting in Likoni.

At the Rrahma Mosque in Mishomoroni, Mombasa, Sheikh Mohamed Abdulkarim urged Muslims not to condone terrorism by hiding known terrorists.

And Sheikh Abdulmalik Kipsang called on political leaders to end their political wars and instead work together to deliver the country from insecurity.

“The main focus of the leaders in government and opposition should be to create jobs, especially for the youth, as a strategy of fighting insecurity in the country. A lot of youth are wasting away without decent jobs,” he said.

He called on Muslims to share the celebrations with other Kenyans as a show of national solidarity.

At Eastleigh High School grounds where thousands of worshipers gathered for prayers, speakers faulted the recent police operation against immigrants, a move they termed as unfair to the area residents.

Somali community elder Osman Mohammed called on the Government to reinstate the official alien card which allows immigrants to live and engage in economic activities in Kenya.

The alien card, introduced in 2006, allowed immigrants all rights, including investing in the country, owning property, among others, except that holders of the card were not allowed to participate in elections or hold public office.

However, the alien card was rejected as a legitimate document during the massive police operations in May this year. Immigrants with such cards were arrested, with some being deported while others were forcibly taken to refugee camps. This followed orders from Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku.

Residents of Eastleigh also condemned the policy of collective profiling and punishment of certain communities whenever insecurity incidents happen in the country.

“We are very concerned about the policy of collective demonisation of Somalis, and Muslims in particular, by elements within the Government. We are also victims of insecurity just like everyone else. We urge more intelligence gathering to prevent attacks rather collective punishment of people after attacks have occurred,” said Yusuf Mohammed.

Before the Idd prayers began, all affluent Muslims were ordered to donate food or money to their poor neighbours to enable them join in the celebrations.

Hundreds of beggars who took strategic locations in various places where Muslims gathered for the Idd prayers benefited from handouts.