Some Muslim faithful has disobeyed Kenya’s Chief Kadhi Ahmed Muhdhar’s vote to celebrate Idd-ul-Fitr on Wednesday after the crescent moon was reportedly not sighted by Monday night.
However, moving against the directives, hundreds of Muslims flocked to various mosques and grounds for prayers to mark the celebrations on Tuesday.
Sheikh Muhdhar had on Monday evening announced that Muslims will mark the Idd prayers on Wednesday.
SOME MUSLIMS in Kenya defy Chief Kadhi Ahmed Muhdhar advice to mark Idd-ul-Fitr on Wednesday; flock to mosques and grounds for special prayers. #EidMubarak pic.twitter.com/9OAyBYhMci
— NationBreakingNews (@NationBreaking) June 4, 2019
#KENYA: MOON NOT SIGHTED IN KENYA, IDD UL FITR TO BE ON WEDNESDAY-KADHI
Kenya’s Chief Kadhi Ahmed Muhdhar says Eid Al Fitr moon has not been sighted and therefore it’s the last day of Ramadhan on Tuesday and Eid will be celebrated on Wednesday. #EidMubarak #EidAlFitr pic.twitter.com/nL9cs1Ug8L
— Horn24 (@Horn244) June 3, 2019
“We have not received any reports of the moon being sighted in the country and for that reason, we are going to complete the 30 days of fasting,” said Sheikh Muhdhar.
But a section of the faithful on Tuesday went to mosques and various grounds to mark the celebrations after it was reported that the moon had been sighted in parts of north eastern Kenya.
In Nairobi, the National assembly Majority Leader Hon Aden Duale and Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan joined thousands of Muslims in Eid Ul Fitr prayers at the Eastleigh High School Grounds.
In Mombasa, hundreds thronged Tononoka, Serani and other grounds on Tuesday for the prayers.
Others went to mosques in Nairobi and northeastern for the prayers.
Joined @NAssemblyKE Majority Leader @HonAdenDuale, Kamukunji @MPyusufhassan and thousands of Muslims in Eid Ul Fitr prayers at the Eastleigh High School Grounds. #EidMubarak everyone. May the blessings of The Almighty be upon you. pic.twitter.com/dbE5klWWS2
— Ahmed Mohamed ((ASMALi)) (@Asmali77) June 4, 2019
Jamia mosque where Uhuru Kenyatta made history by becoming the first sitting President of Kenya to visit and pray with Muslims on Thursday was also full to capacity with worshippers who came for the special prayers.
Eid Prayers at Jamia Mosque Nairobi.#EidMubarak pic.twitter.com/oHZSmqnX7W
— Jamia Mosque (@jamia_mosque) June 4, 2019
In Mombasa, hundreds thronged Tononoka, Serani and other grounds on Tuesday for the prayers.
In Mandera town Idd-ul-Fitr prayers at the Jamia Mosque grounds on Tuesday.
In Kisumu, Muslim faithful gather for Idd prayers at Highway Primary School.
In Nakuru Muslim faithful assembled at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru for Idd-ul-Fitr.
In Eldoret, Muslim faithful gathered at Uasin Gishu Primary School grounds on Tuesday.
Here are some comments that opposed Sheikh Muhdhar:
Muslims don’t follow chief kadhi nor did they defy him, prophet muhammad pbuh had put it clear that we should fast when we sight the moon and break it when we sight the next moon. Moon was sighted along many towns in kenya and other countries. We all use the same moon.
— Ali A Mohamed™️ (@alikalmasa) June 4, 2019
Defy what??!!! Muslims fast and break their fast on sighting the moon not when the chief kadhi says! The chief kadhi is a person appointed by the government and not the Muslims. Do not attempt to report on what you do not understand pls.
— Abdirahman_A. (@ZizmanAbdille) June 4, 2019
The government on Monday declared Wednesday a public holiday to accord Muslims an opportunity to mark the Idd-ul-Fitr celebrations.
The declaration is contained in a gazette notice issued by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
Eid Mubarak!