Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar during Eid al-Fitr prayers at Ronald Ngala Primary school grounds. [Photo: Hassan Omar/ facebook.com]
Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar has told Parliament Majority leader Aden Duale to review statements he makes in reference to the clergy.
Hassan who spoke at Ronald Ngala Primary School grounds in Mombasa on Sunday during prayers to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadhan said Daule went overboard by criticizing the Chief Kadhi over his announcement that Ramadhan would be celebrated on Monday and not Sunday.The Muslim community was divided on Sunday over when to celebrate Eid al-Fitr since the moon had not been cited anywhere in East Africa although it had been seen in Eastern Asia.“Duale needs to know that even if the Chief Kadhi makes a statement that does not please him (Duale), there are humble ways of correcting him,” he said at the prayers also attended by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.“It was totally reckless for him to throw words as he did.”On Sunday Kenya’s Chief Kadhi Al Mukhdhar A.S. Hussein announced that Muslim faithful would celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Monday because the moon had not been cited.But Duale who joined other Muslims at Sir Ali Sport’s grounds for early Eid al-Fitr celebration blasted the Chief Kadhi for postponing the celebration arguing that the moon had been seen in Wajir, Lamu and Marsabit.“Today (Sunday) we want to reiterate the position that the moon was sighted in Habeswein (Wajir County), Marsabit County and Kipini (Lamu County) among many other parts of our country as well as many Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia,” Duale said.“It is irresponsible and out of order for the Kenyan Chief Kadhi to mislead and divide the Muslim Umma using an office created by the Constitution under article 170 for the unity and interest of the Muslim.”“The Chief Kadhi cannot work in isolation of the Muslim leaders and organisations when making a decision on the destiny of the Umma.”