Ramadhan: Idd announcement for today

RELIGION        IDD AL-FITR

 

 

According to the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) Director of Sharia Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Kakungulu, today will be the 29th day since Muslims commenced fasting and they are advised to look out for the moon in the evening.

 

"I urge Muslims and other trusted members of the public to look out for the moon today evening since it is the 29th day of the holy month of Ramadhan," Kakungulu said.

 

He noted that if the moon is sighted today evening, Idd will be celebrated on Tuesday but if it is not sighted, it will be automatically marked on Wednesday.

 

The month of Ramadhan in which Muslims fast from dawn up to sunset on a daily basis lasts between 29 or 30 days.

 

Fasting is the fourth pillar of the Islamic religion and it is considered a special month of the Islamic religion in which the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad and it is observed annually.

 

 Kakungulu who is the only sheikh in the country authorised to announce Idd day appealed to those who would sight the moon to contact him immediately on the following numbers 0702/0772-525-171 or 0772588316.

 

"I appeal to whoever sights the moon on Monday evening to contact me immediately for verification," Kakungulu said.

 

He warned that only people with sober mind with no disputed integrity are supposed to contact him about moon sighting.  "Information from subsequent liars is not accepted," Kakungulu said.

 

 

Dr Ziyad Swaleh Lubanga, the UMSC secretary for Zakat has urged Muslims to pay Zakat al-Fitr before Idd prayers for God to perfect their fasting.

 

"Most of our fasting comes with shortfalls. However, Prophet Muhammad encouraged us to pay Zakat al-Fitr,  saying that one's fasting will be hanging between earth and heavens and it will not be raised up to the divine presence without paying the Zakat al-Fitr," Lubanga said.

 

Zakat al-Fitr is a charity taken for the poor a few days before the end of fasting in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. 

 

Fitr is the same as Iftar meaning breaking the fast.

 

Lubanga noted that every Muslim is required to pay Zakat al-Fitr at the conclusion of the month of Ramadhan as a token of thankfulness to God for having enabled him or her to observe the obligatory fast. 

 

Sheikh Imran Ssali, an Imam at Gadaffi national mosque said the amount of Zakat al -Fitr is the same for everyone regardless of their varying economic status.

 

 "Unlike Zakatul- Mali which is only supposed to be paid by wealthy Muslims, every Muslims including children are supposed to pay it," Ssali said.

 

Zakat al-Fitr is payable in the form of cash and foodstuffs like Rice, Banana, Maize among others.