Duale wants Chief Kadhi investigated for contradicting Matiang’i on Idd-Ul-Adha

National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale wants the Chief Kadhi investigated for contradicting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s announcement that Idd-Ul-Adha holiday be marked on Tuesday, August 21.

Duale has accused Chief Kadhi Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar of abuse of office and causing division among the Muslim faithful.

Dr. Matiang’i on Friday, through a gazette notice, declared Tuesday, August 21 a public holiday to allow for celebration of the annual Idd-Ul-Adha.

On Saturday, however, the Chief Kadhi said Matiang’i went against his advice that the celebrations be marked on Wednesday, August 22 in line with the Muslim calendar.

“I wrote to him before the announcement indicating that Muslims would celebrate Idd on Wednesday but he went ahead to declare Tuesday as the public holiday,” Muhdhar told a local daily.

Taking to social media, Duale on Saturday said he would petition the Judicial Service Commission to investigate the Chief Kadhi.

“Chief Khadhi is out of order and should not fault Cabinet Secretary Matiangi on Idd ul-Adha holiday date. This will divide Muslims.

“We shall send a petition to the Judicial Service Commission to discuss the conduct of the Chief Khadhi for an abuse of office in the discharge of his duties as provided in article 170 of the constitution of Kenya 2010,” said Duale.

The House Majority Leader maintained that Idd-Ul-Adha also known as Idd-Ul-Hajj should be marked on Tuesday.

“The Hajj will take place for five days from August the 19th – 24th. The second day of the pilgrimage is known as the “Day of Arafat” and it comes before “Eid Ul Adha”. The second Eid celebrations in Islamic calendar thus Monday is “Yammul Arafat” and Tuesday is “Eid ul Adha,”‘ he said.

While Muslim leaders occasionally differ on moon-sighting before marking the end of Ramadhan, division is rare during Idd-Ul-Adha which marks the end of Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage in Mecca.

Sheikh Badru Khamis, the Secretary General of the Kenya Assembly of Ulammah, insists that the Tuesday August 21 date set by the government is against Islamic teachings.

Sheikh Khamis says the celebrations should be held on Wednesday, August 22 and not Tuesday as planned. He claims that marking the day on August 21 will undermine the office of Chief Kadhi, therefore, cause division among the Muslim community in the country.

A contrary statement was, however, issued by Masjid Musa leader Sheikh Abou Katanda, who says CS Matiang’i was advised by Muslim leaders in having Idd-Ul-Adha marked on Tuesday, August 22.