http://www.english.hadhramaut.info Muslims in Kenya break into merry making as 'Ramadhan' closes [The Source: www.standardmedia.co.ke/hadhramaut.info - 10/09/2010] Muslims across the country are making merry amid prayers and big smiles as they celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan Millions of faithfuls gathered in various fields and mosques in Nairobi, Mombasa and other towns on Friday for special Eid prayers at around 9 am to express their thanks to God for successfully completing the month of fasting. There was an air of merry and excitement as muslims, clad in colourful robes, exchanged greetings and hugs, while saluting each other with greetings of "Eid Mubarak" (Have a blessed Eid!) Muslims celebrating  Eid-ul-Fitr in Sir Ali, Ngara-Nairobi [Picture: Mbugua Kibera] "I am very happy today since this is a big day for me. I will be joining my friends and family for lunch and dinner and generally have a good time," said Kish Mohammed with a smile, after prayers at Sir Ali Muslim Club in Nairobi, Many muslim homes enjoyed the day with special dishes like Pilau, Biriani and meats of various kinds as well as non-alcoholic drinks, after a month of not having a meal between dawn to dusk. Business in many parts of the country picked up steam as the faithfuls shopped for food, drinks and clothes as well as gifts in line with the demands of the celebrations. Unlike previously expected, all muslims in Kenya marked their Eid on the same day, in a rare show of unity contrary to past years when different sections of the community celebrated on different days. Earlier in the week, the Acting Chief Kadhi Ahmad Muhdhar had indicated that the big day could be marked on Saturday, but after the new moon was sighted Thursday evening, he changed the big day to Friday. "As a muslim leader, I am very pleased that all faithfuls prayed together in unity and goodwill. We thank God for that and pray for the wellbeing of the country," he told the Standard from Mombasa. He advised the faithfuls not to celebrate in ways that go against the principles of islam—like drinking alcohol, chewing miraa (khat), attending night clubs and having casual sex. Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims Secretary General Adan Wachu congratulated to Muslims for successfully completing the month, of Ramadhan in peace but urged the government to return the 10 Kenyans renditioned to Uganda to face charges in their home country. "I encourage all Muslims to use this day to strengthen family ties by visiting each other and sharing meals with their poor people in the community. That is the true spirit of Eid," he advised Before the Eid prayers began, all affluent muslims were ordered to donate food or money to their poor neigbours to enable them join in the merry making. "We don’t want a section of Muslims to be enjoying tasty dishes in their homes while other people have nothing to bite," said Sheikh Ali Awsat at Carlifonia Grounds in Nairobi while addressing faithfuls. Hundreds of beggars, who had manned strategic locations in various places where Muslims gathered for the Eid prayers, appeared to have made a killing from generous handouts. "I am very happy today that my family will afford to have nice meals that we haven’t eaten for a long time," said Yusuf Osman as he stuffed a bundle of notes and coins into his pocket at Westlands Mosque. Adan Wachu urged Muslims to remain calm despite provocation of an American evangelist preacher who had threatened to burn copies of the Quran, the ,uslim holy book. The US preacher has since backed down after intense pressure from world leaders