CS Kindiki declares Wednesday a public holiday to mark the Idd-ul-Fitr
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has gazetted Wednesday, April 10, 2024, as a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr.
In a Gazette Notice dated Tuesday, April 9, the CS that Muslims across the country are set to mark the Idd celebration to mark the end of Ramadhan.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that, in the exercise of the powers conferred by section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declares that Wednesday, the 10th April 2024 shall be a Public Holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr,” read the notice in part.
The first day of Idd al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of the month of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.
Lunar months last between 29 and 30 days so Muslims usually have to wait until the night before Idd to verify its date.
Other countries follow independent sightings.
When the sighting has been verified, Idd is declared on television, radio stations and at mosques.
Traditionally, Idd is celebrated for three days as an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of holiday days varies by country.
Muslims begin Idd Day celebrations by partaking in a prayer service that takes place shortly after dawn, followed by a short sermon.
But according to Chief Kadhi Abdulhalim Hussein the 29th Ramadhan 1445H will correspond with April 9, 2024, depending on the sighting of the Shawal 1445H crescent.
“Eid-ul-Fitr shall either be on 10 or 11 April 2024. However, the Eid-ul-Fitr Public Holiday shall be on Thursday 11 April 2024, calculated after the maximum 30 days of the lunar month for logistical reasons,” he said on Tuesday.
In March, the Chief Kadhi urged those following Saudi Arabia’s position of observing the moon a day earlier to stop causing confusion and wait for a formal announcement.
“We have been given the authority to guide Muslims on the issue of moon sighting, among other important responsibilities. So, all Muslims should wait for our guidance and announcement before the start of Ramadhan,” Sheikh Abdulhalim said.
“There are those who will say they have sighted the moon without proof and create confusion,” he added.
The Chief Kadhi, whose office is responsible for announcing the start and end of the fasting period, said all kadhis in the country’s 47 counties would be watching the skies for the moon today.
“We are in a different geographical location from Saudi Arabia, so Kenyan Muslims should follow what we in authority say about observing the crescent moon like other countries do,” Sheikh Abdulhalim said.
During Ramadan, most Muslim families invite the poor to break their fast. The holy month is followed by the festival of Eid ul-Fitr, which is traditionally celebrated with new clothes, tasty treats and gifts.