
KAMPALA- The government has on Friday announced Tuesday August 21 a public holiday in recognition of ‘Eid adhuha’ as celebrated Muslims in the country.
In a statement by Catherine Bitarakwate the minister for Public Service, through the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, noted that “this is to respect the Muslims who will be celebrating Eid Adhuha, an annual religious event on the same day”.
“The Honorable Minister of Public Service informs the general public that Tuesday 21th August is Eid Adhuha and has been declared a public holiday for the whole nation,” said Bitarakwate.
About Eid al-Adha
It is the festival of sacrifice and the special occasion includes prayers, greetings and gifts of various kinds.
The holiday celebrates the occasion when Allah came to Ibrahim in a dream, and asked him to sacrifice his son Isma’il as an act of obedience to God.
Ibrahim was tempted by the devil saying he should spare his son, something he did not listen to.
However, as he was about to sacrifice Isma’il, Allah stopped him and gave him a lamb instead – praising him for his obedience.
Today, those who can afford it sacrifice a sheep or a goat to celebrate Eid Al Adha as a reminder of the brief. Eid al-Adha usually starts with prayers at the Mosque, thanking Allah for the blessings they have received.
Here, they also exchange the greeting “Eid Mubarak” which means “blessed Eid”.
On this day, Muslims are also mandated for rich to give to the poor so as they can afford to celebrate as well.
Bakra Eid also marks the end Hajj, a pilgrimage that takes Muslims to the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
Approximately two million Muslims make the five-day religion journey every year.
The event expects Muslims to pray dress in their best clothes and give gifts to others, but it is first and foremost a special occasion to celebrate with friends and family.
The event takes place on different dates every year, as it follows the Islamic lunar calendar and not the international Gregorian one.
The dates changes every year, drifting approximately 11 days earlier each year.
Last year, the start of the festival began on September 1 and next year it will most likely fall on August 10