Sheikh calls for national peace, unity as Muslim faith ful mark Eid
By Reuben.Mwambingu, June 29, 2023Millions of Muslims around the world yesterday converged in Mosques to celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of the biggest holidays of the Islamic calendar that marks the end of the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, Eid-ul-Adha honours the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ishmail, as an act of obedience to God’s command.
The story in different versions is in the Quran, the Bible, and the Old Testament, which shows the common heritage of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
As a tradition to celebrate the four-day feast, Muslims slaughter livestock and share the meat among family, friends and the poor.
Dotted in Kanzus
In Kenya, thousands of Muslim faithful gathered in various open grounds at dawn for Salat Al Eid, a prominent congregational prayer offered just after sunrise to observe the first day of Eid al-Adha.
In a Gazette Notice dated June 26, the government through Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki declared June 28 a public holiday to mark Eid al-Adha.
In the Port City of Mombasa, thousands of Muslims were already up and running even before the sun rise and by 7am. Roads were dotted with worshippers clad in Kanzus.
As various muezzins’ azans continued to echo from the minarets of several Mosques across the Island, the worshippers gathered in different grounds unfurled their prayer mats in unison to embark on Eid Salah (Prayer) – a crucial part of Eid celebrations.
At Masjid Ummu Kulthum grounds Kizingo area, Sheikh Abubakar Bamkuu was joined by other leaders and dignitaries including former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Health Khatib Mwashetani, Businessman Abu Joho (Joho’s elder brother) among other leaders.
Sheikh Bamkuu appealed for peace and unity and prayed for wisdom in the top leadership as the country battles a string of economic challenges.
“This is the day to remember the less fortunate. We are required to slaughter animals and ensure the poor enjoy the meat. This is the day we are required to bring joy in the hearts of people around us,” Bamkuu said.
“With the current economic crisis we are in, it is important that we turn to God and seek his control.”
After the dawn prayers, the celebration mood rocked Port City as Muslims went on to slaughter animals and shared meals with families, friends and neighbours before going for outings to celebrate the holiday.
Dream vision
Another group of Muslims including Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir are expected to observe the Eid celebrations today.
The Feast of Sacrifice dates from the historic event when Prophet Abraham was commanded by God, in a form of a dream vision, to sacrifice his son, Ishmail.
But while he was in the act of sacrificing his son, God sent the Angel Gabriel with a huge ram. Gabriel informed Abraham that his dream vision was fulfilled and instructed him to sacrifice the ram as a ransom for his son.
Eid al-Adha notably marks the end of Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, which is one of the five pillars of Islam and obligatory for those who are financially and physically able to complete it at least once in their lifetime.
This annual pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia is an obligation only for men and women who are physically and financially able to perform it once in their life.