Malawi declares July 7 holiday for Eid festival: Muslims to celebrate end of Ramadan

It’s official – the date of Eid al-Fitr has been decided by Muslims Association of Malawi (MAM) as July 7 and Malawi government has declared it a public holiday to allow Muslims elebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan – which started on June 6 .

Eid marks the end of the daily fasting through the month of Ramadan and the start of the next month, Shawwal.

Many Muslims around the world will celebrate the Eid Al-Fitr festival on Wednesday July 6, which signals the end of Ramadan 2016.

But in Malawi July 6 is Independence Day – also a public holiday – and the Muslims have shifted their celebrations to July 7.

In a statement seen by Nyasa Times, Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development Ministery, Stuart Ligome said Thursday will be Eid Al-Fitr public holiday.

“The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Developnent is, therefore, wishing all Muslims in Malawi and in Diaspora, Happy Eid Mubarak, and the general public a restful  public holiday on Thursday, 7th July, 2016.” Ligomeka said in the statement dated 4 July.

Spokesperson for MAM , Sheikh Dinala Chabulika,  said: “Eid is one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar.”

He told Nyasa Times that the significance of Eid is purely and profoundly spiritual.

“ It is a day for people to thank Allah for all of the blessings he has given them and the strength he has instilled in them to endure the fast during the holy month of Ramadan,” said Sheik Chabulika.

He said Eid al-Fitr means “festival of breaking the fast”  after the sight of the moon.

Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset and also abstain from smoking and sex during daylight hours throughout Ramadan.

Some scholars believe that the  u-ran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during the month, making it particularly holy.

Nyasa Times wishes the Muslims a blessed Eid.

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