NCCK statement recipe for religious intolerance

By: Umar Sakwa–

First, my message of condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the beastly, heinous and coward Mandera attack.
Last week, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) issued a statement in the media accusing the Muslim leadership for being insincere in tackling the radicalization of Muslim youth in the country. What they conveniently forgot to mention, however, is that Muslims have also fallen victim to the wave of attacks which have faced the country where several Muslim activists and scholars have been murdered in cold blood.
On several occasions, I have personally witnessed the Muslim leadership deliberating on issues facing the country and subsequently advising the government to take a different approach in addressing security concerns but their recommendations are routinely ignored.
Among the recommendations is to make public the Sharawe report and implement its recommendations which include addressing matters related to issuance of Identity cards and other relevant documents, addressing the challenges of marginalization and discrimination and opening up opportunities that will empower the youth consequently improving their living standard.
In addition, NCCK needs to desist from issuing statements which can lead to religious intolerance and acrimony in the country. Let them know that Kenya is bigger than all of us and Muslims are in Kenya by default and not by accident. Let us learn to appreciate and understand each other for the sake of our coexistence. As Allah states in the Quran,
“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one other. Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous (or Allah-concious) of you. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware”. (Quran: Al-Hujurat 49: 13)
Our security agencies also need TO respect the sanctity of places of worship while dispensing law and order. Mosques, churches and places of worships do not commit crime, it is individuals who commit crime. If a person is found importing drugs or any harmful substance in the country through the port or airport, we do not close the port but apprehend those responsible, carry out investigations and then bring the culprit to book. This should always be the way to go.
Umar Sakwa is the program coordinator of Nairobi Area Muslim Students’ Association