KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has confirmed that Eid-Al-Fitr will be celebrated tomorrow Friday, April 21 after the Shawwal crescent moon was sighted in Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening.
According to Dr Sheikh Ziyad Swaleh Lubanga, the UMSC director of sharia, Eid national prayers will be held at Gaddafi Mosque in Kampala- starting at 8 am tomorrow, led by the mufti of Uganda Sheikh Ramadhan Mubajje.
At Kibuli Mosque, prayers will be led by Dr Hafith Walusimbi, the director of Sharia under the Kibuli parallel Muslim administration, starting at 9am.
Since this year’s Idd coincides with Juma prayers, Idd prayer takes precedence over Juma prayer, noted Sheikh Abdul Hamid Kaggwa of Masjid Qubaa, Namagoma in Kyengera Town Council.
“According to Islamic teachings, when Idd and Juma coincide on the same day, the Idd prayer takes precedence over Juma prayers. This means that we have to attend the Idd prayer instead of the Juma,” he emphasized.
However, Sheikh Kaggwa said if someone misses the Idd prayer, he has to perform Juma prayers as usual.
“It is also important to note that while Idd prayer is mandatory for all adult Muslims, Juma prayers are only obligatory for men who are not travelling,” he stated.
Dr Lubanga encouraged believers to pray for peace and harmony in countries like Sudan where war is raging.
“This year’s Idd has come at a time when our brothers and sisters in Sudan are trapped in senseless war. I really doubt whether they will celebrate it well, let’s pray for them. Let’s pray for peace in the whole world,” he concluded.
Eid-al-Fitr is the first day of the month of Shawaal, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar which follows the holy month of Ramadhan.
Traditionally, Eid-Al-Fitr is celebrated for three days as an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of holiday days varies by country.
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