Muslims defy Islamic leader's order, mark Eid celebration on Friday instead of Saturday

Hundreds of Muslims in Mombasa defied the Chief Kadhi's announcement and celebrated Eid-el-Fitr on Friday instead of Saturday.

Daily Nation reports that the Chief Kadhi, Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar had on Thursday, July 16, announced that the celebration should be held on Saturday, July 18, because the moon was not sighted as expected.

However, the faithful flocked to various mosques and open grounds for prayers marking the beginning of their Eid celebrations.

Hundreds went to the Tononoka Grounds early in the morning where clerics Sheikh Abu Hamza and Sheikh Abu Qatadah led the massive congregation in the prayers.

Speaking after Eid prayer sermons, Sheikh Qatadah said they decided to mark the celebration because there is only one moon and it was sighted elsewhere.

“We have decided to hold the prayers today (Friday) because we have other countries like Saudi Arabia who are also celebrating,” he said.

Sheikh Qatadah, however, wished those who are still fasting a happy Eid-el- Fitr as they celebrate Saturday.

Meanwhile, the move to defy the Chief Kadhi was criticised by two Muslim organisations.

The secretary-general of the Kenya Assembly of Ulammah, Sheikh Badru Khamis, and the chairman of Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, Sheikh Muhdhar Khitamy, said the faithful should have waited for the sighting of the moon.

“We neither sighted the moon nor received any communication. According to our teachings, it is clear that we have to sight the moon for us to wrap (up)the holy month of Ramadhan,” Sheikh Khamis said.

The Chief Kadhi usually urges Muslims to rely on the physical sighting of the moon, according to Islamic laws, to signal the start of Eid celebrations.