Friday Bulletin—The actions of extremist groups have maligned and dented the image of Islam as a peaceful religion and Muslims should not allow such misguided individuals to hold the religion hostage.
These remarks were made by the Imam of Masjid Abubakar Mosque (Sixth Street) in Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate, Sheikh Muhammad Abdi Umal who urged the youth to shun un-Islamic ideologies spread by people with evil motives who wish to see Muslims and Christians who have peacefully coexisted together for decades turn against each other.
He urged the youth to counter the threat of radicalization and extremism by following the teachings and guidance of credible and renowned Muslim scholars. “Today the good image of our religion has been tainted by people claiming to be one of us and the world has bought this propaganda. These people have taken advantage of the ignorance of people and it is working well for them,” he said during a peace workshop in Eastleigh.
In his remarks Jamia Mosque Imam Sheikh Muhammad Swalihu told the youth to help correct misconceptions about Islam and Muslims by being good ambassadors of Islam.
Speaking at the same event, Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan distanced Muslims from the actions of extremist groups and at the same time challenged Muslims to speak against those who disguise themselves as Muslims and commit heinous crimes.
He made it clear that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance and those using the faith to promote acts of violence do not represent Muslims.
“These people are wearing a Muslim gown but they don’t represent the true religion of Islam which is peace and love.
These people don’t speak for us they not represent us, they don’t believe in the Islam we believe in as a community and people,” he said.
The MP acknowledged violent extremism as the biggest threat to peace and stability in the country and told Kenyans to remain united and resilient against schemes made to divide them along religious and ethnic lines.
The legislator is a survivor of a terrorist attack which left him with shattered limbs during a grenade explosion outside the Hidaya mosque in Eastleigh in 2012. Five people lost their lives in the vicious attack.
The leaders appealed to all Kenyans to pray for a peaceful Kenya and wished all the Muslims in the country a blessed Ramadhan.
The seminar under the theme of “Islam is a religion of moderation” was organized by Peace and Awareness Youth Group (PAY)
