The High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the constitutionality and venue of the National Prayer Day, ruling that the annual event does not violate any constitutional rights. In a decision delivered on Tuesday, May 26, the court found that the petition lacked merit and declined to declare the event illegal. The judge held that the petitioner failed to properly demonstrate a breach of Article 8 of the...

The High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the constitutionality and venue of the National Prayer Day, ruling that the annual event does not violate any constitutional rights. In a decision delivered on Tuesday, May 26, the court found that the petition lacked merit and declined to declare the event illegal. The judge held that the petitioner failed to properly demonstrate a breach of Article 8 of the Constitution, which prohibits the establishment of a State religion and upholds the separation of religion and State. While dismissing the case, the court nevertheless directed that Parliament should ensure greater transparency and accountability regarding public expenditure linked to the National Prayer Breakfast, noting concerns raised during submissions. The court also observed that although both parties made detailed arguments on whether the event amounted to the establishment of a State religion, that specific issue had not been properly pleaded in the petition. It further noted that the petitioner had an opportunity to amend the case to include the argument but did not do so before judgment was delivered.