Kenya declares Friday as a Public Holiday

Friday July 31st 2020, has been declared a Public Holiday in Kenya to mark Idd ul Azha.

Also known as Eid al-Adha (Sacrifice Feast), the feast is celebrated to honour the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac as an act of obedience to God’s command.

It falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar.

During the feast, Muslims re-enact Ibrahim’s obedience by sacrificing a cow or ram. The family will then eat about a third of the meal a third goes to friends and relatives, and the remaining third is donated to the poor and needy.

However, due to the Coronavirus and the ban on social gatherings, many might have to celebrate at home without violating the regulations issued by the Ministry of Health.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi said “In light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, and in fidelity with the Resolutions of the Fifth Session of the National and County Governments Co-ordinating Summit, all ceremonies in celebration of Idd-ul- Azha will be marked with minimal person to person contact,” he said.