By ALLY JAMAH and PSCU

Nairobi, Kenya; Muslim faithful in Kenya and around the world marked the end of the Holy Month of Ramadhan yesterday and will be celebrate the Idd ul Fitr holiday Friday.

Faithful thronged mosques and communal areas to celebrate the day with prayers after a month-long period of fasting. The end of Ramadhan is marked with merry-making and feasting that includes eating of special foods and beverages.

According to the Imam of Nairobi’s Jamia Mosque Sheikh Muhammad Swalihu and the Panel of Muslim Scholars of Kenya, Idd ul Fitr was announced after the crescent moon was sighted in various parts of the country and the globe on Wednesday. He said there were credible reports of the moon sighting in Garissa, Isiolo and Wajir as well parts of South Coast. He said other moon sightings were in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Public holiday

READ MORE

 Ruto: Thika - Nairobi Expressway to ease traffic congestion

 Fasting upcountry needs devotion through resilience and self-control

 Lemke, Jarvis on one stroke lead as Njoroge shoulders Kenya's hope

 While Christians lent, Muslims start Ramadan in a rare coincidence

“Once the moon has been sighted anywhere, it becomes clear the month of Ramadhan has ended. In such a case, we have no option but to declare Idd ul Fitr,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of goodwill to all Muslims as they mark Friday’s Idd ul Fitr holiday. Uhuru said, “Today, I join all Muslims in celebrating Idd ul Fitr, to mark the end of Ramadhan, the period of fasting and devotion that they observed over the past month”.