Matiang'i Declares Friday a Public Holiday to Celebrate Idd-Ul-Adha

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has declared Friday, July 31st, a public holiday.

Matiang’i through a Gazette Notice No. 5277 issued on Wednesday said this will allow Muslim faithful to celebrate Idd-Ul-Adha.

“In recognition of the vital role of faith as a unifying force within our Nation, and cognizant that religious and cultural diversity is at the core of our national identity; Friday, July 31, 2020, has been designated as a Public Holiday of General Observance throughout the territory of the Republic of Kenya in celebration of Idd-ul-Adha,” the notice states.

Matiang’i urged Muslims to celebrate the holiday in strict adherence to the Covid-19 containment measures.

“All ceremonies in celebration of Idd-ul-Adha will be marked in strict and full compliance with the guidelines issued by the InterFaith Council with the approval of the Ministry of Health,” he added.

Idd-Ul-Adha, also known as Eid Qurban, is the second of two Islamic holidays marked across the world. It honors Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God’s command.

Local Muslim leaders have been pushing for the recognition of the holiday as a public holiday in addition to Eid-ul-Fitr.