This archive report was first published on 24 May 2020.
On May 24, 2020, Muslims in Kenya marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr celebrations, albeit in a new and challenging way.
With the Covid-19 pandemic forcing the government to implement containment measures, the usual communal prayers, food, and gift exchanges were severely constrained.
As a result, mosques and prayer grounds, where the faithful often gather for morning Eid prayers, remained deserted on Sunday.
Even in the coastal city of Mombasa, the Eid celebrations were marked indoors, with the streets eerily quiet as only a few people could be seen walking and talking.
Areas like Mombasa's old town and Nairobi's Eastleigh estates, largely inhabited by Muslims, had been under partial lockdown due to high numbers of Covid-19 cases.
Sheikh Muhdhar, the chief Kadhi, urged the Muslim faithful to conduct their celebrations in strict adherence to government guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
He announced that the crescent moon had been sighted in Lamu, marking the end of Ramadan, and that the celebrations would take place on Sunday.
However, a section of Muslims had already celebrated on Saturday, believing that the moon had been sighted in Kwale.
