Govt declares Monday, September 12 a public holiday
A general view shows Muslim pilgrims circling the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on September 6, 2016. AFP PHOTO
The government has declared Monday, September 12, a public holiday to mark the Islamic feast of Idd-ul-Adha.
The announcement was made in a Kenya Gazette notice from Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery dated September 9, 2016.
The Idd-ul-Adha festival marks the end of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken by Muslims worldwide.
The declaration of a holiday is in "recognition of the pivotal role played by religion in fostering cohesion and positive social order", a statement by State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu notes:
"The Government has taken this step so as to allow all Kenyans to share in celebrating that auspicious Holy Day together with our Muslim Brothers and Sisters; on a day that celebrates sacrifice and unwavering obedience to the greater good..."
"The declaration is in line with Section 2(2) of the Public Holidays Act (Cap.110 of the Laws of Kenya), as read together with Section 3 of the Act," the statement adds.
