Women attend Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the Ziwani Primary School grounds in Mombasa. Photo/GIDEON MAUNDU
By MWAKERA MWAJEFA mwajefa@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Wednesday, August 31 2011 at 22:30
Posted Wednesday, August 31 2011 at 22:30
Muslims celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr with a call for a review of the law to give the Chief Kadhi powers to announce the beginning and end of the Month of Ramadhan.
Speaking during Eid Baraza at Treasury Square Garden in Mombasa, Chief Kadhi Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar, told Muslims disputes over the sighting of the moon during the Holy Month would continue until the Kadhi’s docket was strengthened by legislation.
“Right now, if I announce the beginning or end of Ramadhan I can be challenged by anybody over my decision because there are no powers under my docket to do so,” he said and urged Muslim lawyers to see how it could be entrenched in the ongoing reform process.
Citing the Eid Baraza, Sheikh Muhdhar said unless it was entrenched in the law it could be disregarded in the future if a non-Muslim took over the Mayoral seat in Mombasa.
He urged the government to declare Eid ul Adhhia (Eid ul Haj) as a public holiday so that the Muslim community could be joined by their Christian counterparts in the celebration.
Reacting to the Chief Kadhi’s concerns, Mayor Ahmed Mohdhar promised to hold a council meeting next week to pass a resolution on having the Eid Baraza recognised as an annual event in its calendar.
Kenya Koran Teachers Union secretary general Ustadh Muhammad Sheyba also supported the Chief Kadhi.
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