Interior CS Kithure Kindiki. IMAGE :Courtesy
In Summary:
- Monday, June 17, 2024, declared a public holiday for Eid-ul-Adha.
- Eid-ul-Adha commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion and willingness to sacrifice his son.
The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, has officially declared Monday, June 17, 2024, a public holiday in observance of Eid-ul-Adha.
In a statement issued on June 14, CS Kindiki announced, “It is notified for the general information of the public that the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act, declares Monday, June 17, 2024, shall be a public holiday to mark Eid-Al-Adha.”
Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, honors Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) devotion to Allah and his willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, in obedience to divine command.
Islamic tradition narrates that as Ibrahim prepared to sacrifice his son, Allah intervened and provided a lamb to be sacrificed instead.
The festival is one of Islam’s two most significant holidays.
It typically involves communal prayers at mosques, wearing the best clothes, and expressing gratitude for blessings.
Many Muslims commemorate the event by sacrificing sheep or goats and sharing the meat with family, friends, and the needy.
It is also a time for charitable giving, ensuring that everyone can participate in the festivities.
Eid-ul-Adha also marks the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, celebrated in the final month of the lunar Islamic calendar.