Interior CS Kithure Kindiki has announced that Monday, June 17, will be a public holiday in Kenya to honor Eid-Al-Adha.
In a notice dated June 14, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration declared, “It is notified for the general information of the public that in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act, Monday, June 17, 2024, shall be a public holiday to mark Eid-Al-Adha.”
Eid-Al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two major holidays in Islam. It commemorates the profound faith of Prophet Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son Ismail in obedience to Allah’s command.
According to Islamic tradition, Ibrahim had a dream in which Allah instructed him to sacrifice his son Ismail as a test of his faith. As Ibrahim prepared to carry out the sacrifice, Allah intervened and provided a ram to be sacrificed instead.
During this holiday, many Muslims across the world participate in the ritual sacrifice of a sheep or goat. The meat is then shared in three parts: one for the family, one for friends and relatives, and one for those in need. The day typically begins with prayers at the mosque, where Muslims don their best attire and offer thanks for their blessings.
Eid-Al-Adha is a time for community, charity, and reflection. It is also closely tied to the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which concludes in the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The holiday is marked by gatherings with family and friends and acts of generosity to ensure that everyone can partake in the celebrations.
