The Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has gazetted Monday August 12th 2019 as a public holiday in Kenya to mark the Islamic festival of Idd-ul-Adha.
In the gazette notice, Matiang’i said “It is notified for the general information of the public that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Co-ordination of National Government declares that Monday, the 12th August, 2019 be a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Azha.”
The Eid al-Adha festival is declared when the moon is sighted and is done according to the guidance of Islamic leaders and this year’s date is as advised by the Chief Kadhi Sheikh Ahmed Sharif Muhdhar.
Idd-ul-Adha will begin on the evening of Sunday August 11th and end on Monday August 12th 2019. The Public Holiday means that most offices will be closed with civil servants getting a day off from their jobs.
Idd-ul-Adha or the Feast of Holy Sacrifice is one the most important events celebrated in the Islamic religion. It commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham, and follows the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.
It is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the lunar year in the Islamic calendar.
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