By Madinah Tebajjukira

Muslims will mark Eid al-Adha on Friday, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council has announced.

Sheik Hussein Rajab Kakooza, the director of Sharia, yesterday said the prayers would begin at 9:00am.

The Mufti, Sheik Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, will preside over prayers at Gadaffi National Mosque, while his rival, Sheik Zubair Kayongo, will lead prayers at Nakivubo stadium.

Eid al-Adha marks the end of the Islamic year. It occurs the day after the pilgrims to Mecca conduct their final ritual of the Haj activities.

Haj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca, the fifth pillar of Islam, which is prescribed upon every adult Muslim of sound mind.

Over two million Muslims gather in Mecca every year to participate in the Haj activities.

Kakooza appealed to Muslims to sacrifice animals as stipulated in the Koran in emulation of Prophet Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his only son, Ismeal, as an act of obedience to Allah.

He asked the Muslim faithful to dedicate Eid al-Adha prayers to the nation, so that it overcomes corruption.

In Uganda, Friday will be a public holiday to enable all Muslims celebrate the day.