Eid al-Adha: Friday declared a public holiday

Government has declared Friday 1st September a public holiday to allow the Muslim community celebrate Eid al-Adha.

In a letter signed by the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire and copied to the Mufti of Uganda among others, the Minister of Public Service informed the general public that "next Friday 1st September 2017 is Eid al-Adha and will be observed as a public holiday throughout Uganda".

Hajji Nsereko Mutumba the spokesperson of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) told New Vision that Eid al-Adha also known as the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice', is traditionally known on the Muslim calendar as the second of two holidays celebrated worldwide each year, and considered the holier of the other holiday Eid al-Fitr celebrated at the end of Ramadan.

He noted that this is the day Muslim faithful honour the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Isaac, as an act of obedience to God's command.

The festivities carried out on this day include a ritual sacrifice of a sheep, camel, or goat, an action meant to commemorate the trials of Prophet Abraham.

"We would like to congratulate all the Muslim faithful who will be able to celebrate the day," Mutumba added.