KAMPALA
.Muslims leaders on Saturday evening announced the end of Ramadhan ,singling the start of Idd -ul Fitr festivities .
The day will be celebrated tomorrow, Sunday follows the sighting of the new crescent moon on Saturday evening .
According to Dr Sheikh Ziyad Swaleh Lubanga, the director of sharia at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) national prayers at Gaddafi Mosque will start at 9am and will be led by Sheikh Ramadhan Mubajje, the mufti of Uganda.
“I would like to inform the Muslim fraternity and the wider public in Uganda that the new moon has been sighted this evening. Therefore, Idd ul-Fitr will be celebrated on tomorrow, Sunday March 30 ,2025,” he said
At Kibuli Mosque, Supreme Mufti Sheikh Muhammada Galabuzi will lead prayers which will start at 10am, according to Sheikh Yasir Kulumba , the secretary religious affairs in the Office of the Supreme Mufti .
Dr Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke , the director of Communications ,Research and International Relations congratulated believers upon completing the holly month of Ramadan .
“ I am hopeful that you have all benefited from Ramadhan where you have undoubtedly exercised generosity to help those in need . May Allah grant you endless blessings. It is my pleasure to congratulate all the Muslims on the completion of the Holy Month of Ramadhan ,” he said
He urged Muslims to continue behaving righteously like it has been in Ramadhan .
“Be for the truth and practice the truth . This will bring out positive impact on your leadership which will enhance service delivery ,” he said
Idd –ul- Fitr or Eid -al -Fitr which is also known as the festival of breaking the fast is marked after 29 or 30 days of fasting ,according to the Islamic calendar. It falls on the first day of Swawwal in the Islamic calendar; this does not always fall on the same Gregorian calendar date, as the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on when the new moon is sighted by local religious
authorities. Idd-ul-Fitr is a joyous occasion that marks the end of Ramadan, when Muslims abstain from food and drink between dawn and sunset. This day is a time for families and friends to come together and rejoice with food and drink, give each other presents and dress up in new clothes. It has a particular salah [prayer] that consists of two rakats generally performed in an open field or large hall.
Idd-ul-Fitr may only be performed in congregation (Jamat) and features six additional takbirs (raising of the hands to the ears whilst reciting the takbir, saying “Allāhu ʾAkbar”, meaning “God is the greatest”. This Idd is different from Idd-ul-Adha where believers slaughter animals which will be celebrated in early June.