Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr
Muslims in Malawi on today (August 31) join their counterparts around the world in celebrating celebrating Eid al-Fitr (the festival of fast-breaking).
Eid is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan the Islamic holy month of fasting.
According to the national coordinator of the Malawi Islamic Bureau, Sheik Dinala Chabulika, the moon was sighted yesterday allowing celebrations to commence today.
He explained that Eid al Fitris one of the two most important holidays in the Islamic calendar; the other being Eid al Adha.
“It is a time of rejoicing and celebrating having been able to complete the fast — as is obligatory upon all Muslims who have reached the age of maturity and are physically and mentally capable of performing it,” he said.
He said Muslims, as part of the Eid celebration, share food with their poor neighbors and offer prayers for community peace and reconciliation.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam observed once every year by Muslim believers. It entails abstinence from food, drinks and sexual intimacy from sunrise to sundown.
MAM chair for Mangochi chapter Sheikh Adam Imran told Nyasa Times that that as the month-long Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims in the country must continue to imbibe the teachings and exhortations of Almighty Allah to make life more rewarding and beneficial.
He said that the necessity of the holy month of Ramadan afforded Muslims the unique opportunity to beg for forgiveness of sins and get closer to Almighty Allah by living exemplary life that should be worthy of emulation.
Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika, former president Bakili Muluzi (a Moslem) have extended their best wishes to all Muslims in Malawi on celebrating the day.
