News:
The Daily Nation on Tuesday reported that Kenya’s Chief Kadhi Muhdhar Ahmed Hussien has directed Muslims to hold Idul-Adha prayers on Sunday. In a statement issued on 29th Sept, 2014, said his announcement followed sighting of the moon to mark the start of Dhul Hijjah last Friday. “Therefore the Idul-adha will fall on Sunday, October 5, equivalent to 10th Dhul Hijjah Hijra” read the statement. However some Muslims have expressed their dismay over the Chief Kadhi’s announcement and vowed to defy it on the grounds that the annual event out to fall on Saturday, a day after millions of pilgrims performing the Hajj in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia perform Arafa rituals. Some scholars argued that Muslims who are not performing the Hajj should observe Idul-Adha a day after pilgrims converge at Mt. Arafa for the rituals.
Comment:
Despite majority of Muslims worldwide expected to mark the Idul-Adha on Saturday following the sighting of the moon Wednesday last week which means Thursday marked the first day of Dhul Hijjah, it is likely Muslims in Kenya and the entire region of East Africa will be divided into two groups. Those who follow the Kadhis or Mufti announcement are expected to mark Arafah on Saturday hence Sunday will be their Eid day, while others will celebrate Eid on Saturday and expected to mark Arafah on Friday.)
It is very sad to continue witnessing constant disputes between the Muslims over the issue of moon sighting especially when approaching to both Eid celebrations i.e. Eid al-Fitr and Idul-Adha. Unfortunately this has been the reality today, Muslims living in one country and even one city to celebrate idd on different days. The same dilemma is seen on fasting the month of Ramadhan.
This problem is a result of Muslims living under secular regimes which have given human beings absolute authority to legislate i.e. making halal and haram. These regimes have also set up several Muslim councils such as ‘Muslim leaders, Scholars, judges and muftis, such councils have also been authorized to decide matters on behalf of Muslims and thus announce when to fast and when to break their fast. It is through such corrupt councils where strange fatwas are issued, such as allowing participation of Muslims in democratic elections, making military alliances with Kuffar and fighting along with them…etc. Moreover, it is unfortunate today that Muslims where they are do not recognize as a part of the Muslims Ummah in the world. So we find Muslims in Kenya who consider themselves as Kenyans and those of Sudan who recognize themselves as Sudanese and henceforth… Therefore, it is said that every region has its own sighting! Yet these divisions are only artificial created by the West as means to rule the Muslims.
There is no any doubt by re-establishment of Khilafah on the method of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم all these disputes will cease. This State will be the only force of uniting the Muslim ummah both ideological and ritual carrying the message of Islam to the whole mankind.
Written for the Central MediaOffice of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Shaban Mwalimu
Media Representative of Hizb ut Tahrir in East Africa