Muslim in Kenya will begin their fast tomorrow marking the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan.
The fast was expected to kick off on Wednesday, however, the moon was not sighted on Tuesday evening thus Islamic calendar will be followed which means tomorrow marks 1st of Ramadan of the Islamic calendar year 1439.
Ramadhan is the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar in which Muslims believe the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
Fasting is the fourth pillars of Islam commemorated with abstaining from drinking and eating from dawn to dusk for either 29 or 30 days based on the lunar calendar.
Dates of the start of the months keep moving every year in the lunar calendar, which explains the reason behind varying starting and ending of fasting dates every year. The dates begin depending on when the moon is seen.
Saudi Ambassador to Kenya Mohammed Khayat sent his best wishes to Muslims and the country.
"I pray to Allah to forgive all of us and accept our deeds in this holy month. The month of abundant blessings the month of the Quran and repentance the month of tolerance and love that characterizes our true religion," Khayat said.
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“We fast because its a command from Allah but its also time for soul-searching, spiritual reflection and deep devotion to worship,” Sheikh Swalihu Juma Imam Jamia mosque said.
“Its time to intensify our good deeds as Muslims and purify ourselves beyond just this month but throughout as a Muslims,” he added.
He called for tolerance among Muslims and non muslims cautioning against mischief, corruption and hate.
“Let our fasting and lives as Muslims be manifested in our deeds and interaction with others,” he said.
Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims chairman Yusuf Nzibo on his part wished all Muslims good tidings during the month.
"Let us use this time to forgive each other pray for forgiveness. Also, pray for national cohesion and unity and remember the needy amongst us," Nzibo said.
This year's fasting is expected to end either June 14 or 15 subject to sighting of the new moon.
The end of Ramadhan which is also the date of Eid al-Fitr the festival of breaking the fast ushers in the tenth month of the lunar Islamic calendar known as Shawwal.