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Kenya

Muslims celebrate Eid with pomp and colour in Nairobi

EID-UL-FITR

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 6 – A section of Muslims in Nairobi on Wednesday celebrated Eid ul Fitr by breaking their month long fast and exercise of abstinence.

Muslim faithful who had converged at a public forum at the Railways Training Institute to celebrate the festival said they were grateful that the Holy Month was peaceful with many dedicating their prayers towards a united country.

The event attracted people from all walks of life with men, women and children donning brightly coloured outfits.

“At the onset of our fasting, people feared attacks but I must say we are thankful that there were no incidents,” said Faissal Kassim who attended the festival.

Of interest was the presence of non-Muslims who reside in the environs and who all received a warm welcome.

The festival featured urban Arabic music which the adults enjoyed while gearing up for a football tournament, while the children had a blast in the bouncing castles, horse riding and face painting among other activities.

After a reasonable crowd had arrived at the festival, women and men were then segregated with the women being directed to sit under a tent while the men were directed to a field a few meters away.

They were divided into groups of five with the help of officials before being served a big platter of pilau rice, followed by drinks.

“This is what Islam stands for – unity, love and peace regardless of the status and title one has,” said Deputy Chief Kadhi in Upper Hill Courts Rashid Ali-Omar, “This was our prayer issue to most faithful this holy month.”

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Matters on extra judicial killings, terrorism were not left out either with many urging the government to address the issues urgently.

The Muslim faithful also called on politicians to preach peace and not to cause a rift especially now that the country is gearing up for a General Election next year.

“Kenya just like other countries have a task of ensuring security and protect its citizens from all forms of crimes against humanity,” said the Deputy Chief Kadhi.

At the start of Ramadhan, security forces cautioned that the terrorist group Al Shabaab would intensify their activity and both Kenya and Somalia have borne testament to this in the last month.

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