Govt gazettes July 29 as holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr
Muslim faithful in prayers at Jamia Mosque in Nairobi on July 4, 2014, the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadhan. Muslims in Kenya will on Monday or Tuesday start observing the holy month of Ramadhan. MARTIN MUKANGU | NATION
The government on Tuesday gazetted Tuesday, July 29, as a public holiday to celebrate Idd-ul-Fitr.
In a gazette notice, the day was set aside for the celebrations that mark the end of the one month of fasting and prayers among Muslim faithful.
It is the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
Idd is celebrated once every year after the month of Ramadhan and is gazetted as a public holiday days before the event.
The one-month fast comes to an end after local Muslim leaders sight the new moon in various parts of the world.
Last year, President Uhuru Kenyatta said Idd-ul-Fitr would continue to be marked as a national holiday to give Kenyans an opportunity to reflect on the importance of faith, the diversity of the religious communities in the country and the need for tolerance and mutual understanding in protecting the country’s sovereignty.
The holy month of Ramadhan started on June 28 amid tightened security in Mombasa to prevent criminals from taking advantage of busy evenings as Muslims go to mosques for prayers.
