Muslims differ over day to mark Eid-Adha

Leader of house majority Adan Duale, centre, joins Muslim faithful in marking Eid-ul-Adha at the Sir Ali Sports Grounds in Nairobi, Tuesday.  [PHOTO: JEFF MOHAMMED/STANDARD]

By STANDARD TEAM

 The Muslim faithful are calling for the establishment of a Mufti (grand overseer) and an authority to be in charge of the Islamic calendar.

They said this would end the persistent wrangling over exact dates to observe key religious celebration.

Hundreds of Muslims gathered at key mosques and grounds in Mombasa town and Kisauni for Eid- ul-Adha prayers Tuesday, instead of today to mark the end of 10-days of pilgrimage to the holy sites of Makkah and Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 Prayers Wednesday

Chief Kadhi Sheikh Sharif al Muhdhar has called for prayers this morning. Today a number of faithful are expected to converge for prayers across the country.

In Mombasa, prayers were held at Um Kulthum Mosque, Tononoka Grounds, Serani Grounds and Bakarani Grounds in Kisauni Tuesday.

The celebration involves slaughtering of animals to signify the live sacrifice that Prophet Abraham attempted to make of his son Ishmael following a command by God.

Cabinet Secretary in charge of Mining, Najib Balala, who attended Tuesday prayers said that it was unfortunate that each time a religious event approaches, Muslims are divided over when to observe it.

  Respect Chief Kadhi office

 “While we respect the office of the Chief Kadhi, he has his hands full and oversees issues to do with marriage, divorce and inheritance,’’ Balala said.

 Differences have emerged several times over instances when Muslim faithful are supposed to start observing the Holy Month of Ramadhan or when to breakfast after sighting of the moon.

 Balala was addressing media after attending special prayers to mark Eid-ul-Adha at the Arab Boys’ Sports Grounds, Mbaraki , Mombasa County Tuesday.

 The prayers were led by Sheikh Shariff Abadalah of Mbarak Mosque. Balala called on Muslims in Kenya to pray for peace and in particular President Uhuru Kenyatta at a time when the country is faced with a number of obstacles like insecurity. “Kenya has always been an island of peace and we should uphold that peace by remaining united and steadfast even as we face various challenges,’’ Balala said.

 A political activist, Ibrahim Babangida, said the school (Arab Boys’) should be protected as a heritage.

Pioneer Muslim leader

 He said that the land on which the sports ground stands was allocated to the community in 1906 by the late Salim Bin Khalfan, a pioneer Muslim leader.

Meanwhile, the Chief Kadhi, Sheikh Sharrif Muhdhar will today lead Muslims during the Eid-ul-Adha celebrations in Mombasa.

He decreed this day on Sunday, saying that time differences with Saudi Arabia, which marked the holiday yesterday compel Kenyan Muslims to have the event today.

The Eid prayers are expected to be conducted at the Ziwani Grounds.But at the Masjid Ummu Kutum, Sheikh Nassoro Khamis dismissed the move by some Muslims to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha today claiming that today’s celebration is contrary to the Muslim calendar.

Muslims of the world

“The Muslims in the world fasted on the same day and today is the official opening [of the fast], and  people who are calling for other days are not sincere,” he said.

He said the move to create a different day for celebrations was meant to create differences among the Muslim community.

“Why do we come up with different dates based on where this country is based and the rest of other countries, this must be resolved or create big problems,” he said.

He said the differences on the days were not supposed to divide the community and called for tolerance. Sheikh Khamis said Muslim leaders who understand the calendar of the community must never have differences on the days to celebrate.

Fasted same day

“We are surprised that we fasted on the same day. But today one group is celebrating while others have put their day on another date,” he said.

He warned that if the days of celebrating such important days were not resolved, it would divide Muslims.

“This matter must be resolved. We are dividing ourselves by failing to resolve such important days,” he said. During the celebrations, Muslims bought goats worth Sh10,000 apiece for the celebrations.

 

Reports by Maarufu Mohammed, Philip Mwakio and Ngumbao Kithi

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