Eid al-Adha will be marked on Monday, September 12
Sep 03, 2016
Uganda has sent over 800 pilgrims this year to Mecca. These will be part of the over 4.5 million pilgrims expected this year
(Photos by Denis Dibele)
This year's annual Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha will be marked on Monday, September 12. This was confirmed yesterday (Friday, September 2, 2016) by the Saudi Supreme court.
Meanwhile, in Uganda, the Ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Kampala, Dr Jamal Bin Abdul Aziz Raffa, on Friday, September 2, 2016 flagged off 10 Ugandans to go to perform Hajj in Saudi Arabia. This was done after the Friday Juma prayers at the Embassy premises.
The 10 included Muhammad Mayanja, a senior Presidential Adviser, Kassim Nsimbe Mayinja, Parliament's protocol officer and Ahmed Mukobi, a police officer attached to Parliament.
The 10 Ugandans join the other 76 from South Sudan who are also fully sponsored by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the head of the House of Saud. The sponsorship for South Sudan pilgrims was also passed through the Saudi Embassy in Uganda, which is also responsible for issuing the the Visas.
Ambassador Jamal asked the pilgrims to be good ambassadors of Uganda and utilise the opportunity well. He also asked them when they return to share their experiences with other Ugandans.
Saudi Arabia Ambassador Jamal Rafah flags off 10 Ugandans fully sponsored by the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Uganda has sent over 800 pilgrims this year to Mecca. These will be part of the over 4.5 million pilgrims expected this year to Hajji in Saudi Arabia.
There are about 100 pilgrims who were sponsored by President Yoweri Museveni. This group is leaving today, Saturday, September 3, 2016. The first Ugandan pilgrims left on August 26, 2016.
Ambassador Jamal said the Royal Kingdom has prepared very well for the increasing number of pilgrims. He assured pilgrims that there should be no worries because all precautions have been taken to avoid any problems related to such a big gathering of people.
On behalf of the beneficiary pilgrims, Mayanja thanked the Embassy and the Royal Kingdom for the opportunity given to them and pledged to be good ambassadors while in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia Ambassador Jamal Rafah flags off 10 Ugandans fully sponsored by the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Eid al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the Dhu al-Hijjah lunar month and is also the third day of the Hajj pilgrimage. The first of Dhu al Hijja this year fell on Saturday, September 3, 2016 and therefore Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on Monday, September 12. Eid al-Adha falls on the third day of the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.