Gachagua, Joho goodwill messages to Muslims as Ramadhan begins

DP urges Muslims to spread love and cheers, remember the less fortunate

In Summary
  • Joho, who is also a member of the Muslim society was among the top leaders to send  warm wishes to them.
  • This year’s Ramadan began on the  Sunday evening, March 10 and  will end on Tuesday, April 9.
Dates on sale at a stall in Somalia's capital Mogadishu when Muslims prepared for the fasting month of Ramadan.
Dates on sale at a stall in Somalia's capital Mogadishu when Muslims prepared for the fasting month of Ramadan.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and  former Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho are among the  top leaders who have showered Muslims with encouraging messages as they begin their holy month of Ramadhan

Taking to his X account on Monday 11, Gachagua wished all Muslims a peaceful Ramadan.

"To our Muslim brothers and sisters, and all Kenyans. Let us spread love and cheers at this Holy Month of Ramadhan and particularly, remember the less fortunate," he said.

Joho, who is also a Muslim society also send his warm wishes to the faithful.

"As we observe the Holy Month of Ramadhan through fasting and prayers, we should also embody the true spirit of compassion, forgiveness and peaceful co-existence," Joho said.

"May this Ramadhan bring us peace, prosperity and blessings beyond measure. Amin,"

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura on Thursday said that the government had allocated Sh123 million to ensure that vulnerable Muslim families have access to nutritious meals during Ramadan.

Mwaura said that the Kenya Kwanza government is committed to ensuring that the Muslim faithful are supported during their fast.

The foodstuff, according to Mwaura includes rice, beans and vegetable oils.

"This move demonstrates the government's commitment to ensuring unity with Muslims during the Ramadhan period," he said.

He further urged Kenyans to extend empathy and kindness to their Muslim counterparts when they begin the fasting period.

 This year’s Ramadhan began on the  Sunday evening, March 10 and will end on Tuesday, April 9.

These are estimated days of Ramadan according to the Islamic calendar which follows the lunar cycle.

The dates may vary depending on the location due to moon sightings or absence.

Last month, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale commended President William Ruto for the government's unwavering support towards the Muslim community in Kenya.

This is after the state exempted the Muslim community from paying taxes on dates imported for the holy month of Ramadhan

"This continued gesture of kindness is an affirmation of our belief in a unified nation of diverse religious practices as enshrined in the Constitution," he said.

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslim had written to the CS requesting for the tax exemption on dates.

The request was made through its Secretary General Abdullahi Salat in a letter dated January 25, 2024.

As a result, Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung'u announced that the taxes due on the dates imported during Ramadhan will be on the government.

"To provide the same support of the Muslim Community the government has authorised that the dates imported and cleared during this year's Ramadhan period, be done without payment of taxes, import declaration fees and railway development levy," he said

In Islam, dates are considered a blessed fruit, and consuming them during Ramadan is believed to bring blessings and rewards, connecting individuals with their faith and the prophetic tradition.

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