Kenyan Muslims urge tolerance as they celebrate Idd-ul-Fitr

Muslim faithful hold prayers at Wajir Qorahey grounds in Wajir on June 15, 2018. PHOTO | BRUHAN MAKONG | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Thousands of Muslim faithful in Kenya on Friday joined their counterparts in other parts of the world to celebrate Idd-ul-Fitr (the festival of breaking the fast), marking the end of the holy month of Ramadhan.

Idd-ul-Fitr is a time for Muslims to be joyous and celebrate their dedication throughout the 29-30 days of fasting.

Hundreds of Muslim faithful pray at the Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa to celebrate Idd-ul-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadhan on June 15, 2018. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

PRAYERS

On this day, Muslims usually converge for prayers after which they exchange pleasantries before dispersing to enjoy meals at their homes and restaurants.

The faithful are also forbidden from fasting and should start the day by eating dates or snacks before leaving their homes to take part in Idd prayers.

Governor Hassan Joho (left), Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir (centre), and Kenya Chief Kadhi Ahmed Muhdhar join other Muslim faithful at Ronald Ngala Grounds in Mombasa on June 15, 2018 to celebrate Idd-ul-Fitr. PHOTO | MOHAMED AHMED | NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Mombasa, the faithful converged on various grounds, including Tononoka, Mvita and Ronald Ngala primary for the special prayers.

Former Chief Kadhi, Sheikh Hammad Kassim, led prayers in Mombasa also attended by his successor, Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar.

Muslim faithful converge at Ronald Ngala grounds in Mombasa County to celebrate Idd-ul-Fitr on June 15, 2018. PHOTO | MOHAMED AHMED | NATION MEDIA GROUP

In his speech after the prayers, Sheikh Kassim condemned the recent rape cases in reported schools in the country.

He said the trend is worrying and called on authorities to put in place measures to curb the menace.

“The cases have left parents worried when they send their children to these schools," he said.

UNITY

"We are concerned as a Muslim society and the teachers who handle some of these children must be taught to see them as their students and not otherwise."

He further condemned parents in the county for not instilling discipline in their children, saying some are joining criminal gangs.

Muslim faithful gather at Uasin Gishu Primary School in Eldoret town for Idd-ul-Fitr to mark end of the holy month of Ramadhan on June 15, 2018. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

He said Islam as a religion does not teach on violence and it worries him when Muslim children are involved in violence.

“The parents ought to do what is required of them or else things will worsen. It is sad that we can no longer walk freely because it is not safe and police are everywhere to ensure there is peace,” he added.

Muslims pray at the Isiolo Stadium on June 15, 2018 to mark Idd-ul-Fitr. PHOTO | VIVIAN JEBET | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Sheikh Muhdhar, on his part, praised the recent truce and unity among political protagonists, saying it will help Kenya move forward.

“The unity is what every human being needs. We are happy to see that things are now calm and the leaders are now on the right track,” he said.

KWALE

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir were among politicians joined the other faithful for the prayers.

Mr Joho and Mr Nassir shared their message of goodwill to Kenyans and urged people to continue embracing peace.

In Kwale, the prayers were held at various mosques across the county and donations made to the needy.

Governor Salim Mvurya was among hundreds of believers who prayed at Kongo  mosque in Diani.

The county boss urged the adherents of the Islamic faith to practise the teachings of Koran and Ramadhan, including tolerance, patience, love, unity and peaceful co-existence.

"I want to emphasise the need to love one another and to co-exist peacefully because it is the tool for achieving unity as spearheaded by President Uhuru Kenyatta," he said.

WAJIR

He urged Muslims to remain steadfast in prayer and to submit totally to the will of Allah.

"We must take advantage of this spiritual rebirth and seek to unity the country," he said.

Muslim faithful during prayers to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadhan at Wajir Qorahey Grounds on June 15, 2019. PHOTO | BRUHAN MAKONG | NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Wajir, thousands of residents converged at Qorahey grounds where they held their prayers.

The faithful began trooping the grounds as early as 7am.

Present in the event was various county leaders including Governor Mohamed Abdi.

In Mandera, Sheikh Abdullahi Abubakari, who led the prayers, called on Muslims to embrace peace and forgiveness.

MANDERA

Ramadhan, he said, is about forgiveness and appealed to non-locals in Mandera to respect locals’ way of life.

House girls working in Muslim homes, he said, should dress decently.

Muslim faithful during Idd-ul-Fitr prayers at Jamia mosque grounds in Mandera town on June 15, 2018. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

"Those working in our homes should dress decently so that we don’t have religious issues," he said.

More follows.

Reports by Ahmed Mohamed, Bruhan Makong, Fadhil Fredrick, Manase Otsialo and Vivian Jebet.