By Stuart Bogere Oswald

The Directorate of Academic Affairs at Kampala International University has extended the End of Semester exams that were earlier scheduled on Eid al-Fitr day. 

According to the internal memo released yesterday by Dr. Julius Matsiko the Director of Academic Affairs at KIU Main Campus, these exams have been rescheduled for Monday 9th May 2022.

"This serves to inform all staff and students that the end of Semester Exams that are sheduled on the yet to be communicated Eid al-Fitr Day by the Moslem Community will be rescheduled for Monday 9th May 2022,"

"Remember to make all applicable financial clearances to avoid being inconvenienced." part of the letter reads

What is Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr also known as, the 'festival of breaking the fast, is a joyous occasion that marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting for Muslims when they abstain from food and drink between dawn and sunset.

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and Eid al-Fitr is significant in celebrating the end of a very intense month of fasting, prayer, self-reflection, and charity. It is a time for families and friends to come together and rejoice with food and drink, gift each other presents and dress up in new clothes.

When is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar and starts with the sighting of the new moon. Muslims in Muslim countries tend to celebrate Eid for three consecutive days. Since Muslims use a lunar calendar, the Gregorian date of Eid al-Fitr changes yearly, with Eid being eleven days earlier each year.

Lunar months last either 29 or 30 days so Muslims usually have to wait until after sunset on the 29th day to verify its date.

On the 29th night of the month, local moon sighters will scan the horizon for the crescent Moon. If the new moon is visible, the next day will be Eid.

If not, Muslims will then fast one more day to complete a 30-day month.

We wish the entire KIU Moslem Community a happy Eid Al Fitr day!

Additional nformation: bbcgoodfood.com
Aljazeera.com