Muslim feast spat offers Senegalese extra holiday

DAKAR - A dispute among religious leaders in Senegal over the timing of a Muslim feast means Senegalese may end up celebrating not just one day's holiday but three this year.

The date of Eid al-Adha, also known as Tabaski in West Africa, is usually fixed by spiritual leaders in the predominantly Muslim Sahelian country who make a calculation on the basis of the appearance of a new moon.

On Eid or Tabaski day, Senegalese and Muslims across the world slaughter sheep and share the meat with their friends, family and poorer members of the community.

But this year, Senegal's religious leaders have fallen out over which day to celebrate Tabaski.

The National Commission of Observance of the Crescent Moon that traditionally fixes the feast has set Tabaski for Friday. Several imams or spiritual leaders say it should be Thursday.

Other Senegalese Muslims are following the example of Saudi Arabia, birthplace of the Prophet Mohammad, by celebrating Tabaski -- and observing a holiday -- on Wednesday.

"It's a shame we Muslims cannot agree on one day," said 35-year-old Alhousseyni Sarr, who sells clothes from a stall in Dakar, where herds of plump sheep bleat and cluster.

"But on the other hand, it's good for us, we can take more than one day off," Sarr added.

"We have all this confusion because every religious group wants to emphasise its own importance," said 54-year-old customs official Ibrahima Diop.

The daily Le Quotidien took a humorous look at the Tabaski dispute this week, publishing three front-page pictures of a horned ram carrying a sign around its neck showing three separate days: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Fierce polemic marked the debate over Tabaski, which celebrates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah, who instead provides a ram.

"The members of the national commission speak on behalf of some Muslims and religious leaders, but not all Muslims," said Imam Tamsir Ndour, who says Tabaski should be held on Thursday.

"A Muslim is an honest person, so if I say I saw the moon and Tabaski should be on Thursday, then people should trust my word," said another imam, Hassan Cisse.

Many Senegalese were less worried about moon-gazing than about the high price of buying a sheep, which costs the average citizen several months' salary. Many cannot afford it.

"This year 2007 has been the most expensive of all, too many problems," said electrician Amadou Niassy as he bought a sheep.

Last month, the worst riots in years hit the Senegalese capital, triggered in part by simmering discontent over soaring prices for basic goods and widespread youth unemployment.