Calls for peace, unity dominate Eid celebrations
Kenyan Muslims yesterday marked Eid-ul-Fitr prayers and celebration amid calls for peace, love and unity as the country heads towards a transitional General Election on August 9.
In Mombasa, former Chief Kadhi Sheikh Hammad Kassim led the special prayer at Ronald Ngala Primary School playing grounds.
In his sermon, Kassim challenged Kenyans to be wise enough to learn from the past pitfalls of electing leaders with questionable integrity and lack of empathy towards them.
Golden opportunity
“This election grants another golden opportunity for the citizens to elect leaders who care for their wellbeing. It should not be a case where we elect leaders and start regretting,” added Kassim.
He further observed that the right to voting should not be exercised in the wrong manner by electing leaders on the basis of tribes, friendship or kinships.
“We advise Muslims and Kenyans at large to be very cautious on the kind of leaders they will vote for in the upcoming polls. Leadership is a covenant from God and every leader shall be held to account for his action before our Creator. I plead to you leaders to be wary of the consequence of your actions,” remarked the former Chief Kadhi. Kassim reiterated that the country trajectory has always been determined by the decision of the electorate adding that it is incumbent upon Kenyans to elect “tested, servant and selfless leaders.”
“It is the duty of Kenyans to measure the quality of the leaders who have presented their candidature for various elective positions. They have no option but to elect leaders who will not put the country into jeopardy,” he added.
He observed that it is unwise for individuals to seek leadership positions due to the hefty pay attached to the positions they are seeking.
Kassim also praised his successor Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar and other Kadhis across the country for ensuring Muslims are united in observing Eid-ul-Fitr prayers and celebrations.
“We are happy that God has united us. Our disunity has always been against our religion. It is only Ramadhan and Eid prayers where we are divided and not in observing the five daily prayers and pilgrimage. We pray that our unity will exist forever,” he remarked.
Sheikh Muhdhar thanked Muslims for observing peace and unity throughout the holiday month.
Muhdhar called on Muslims to give charitable offerings such as meat, other foodstuff, cash and gifts to the poor, needy, widows and orphans to make them joyful in celebrating the annual Islamic event.
“ I plead for peaceful co-existence among Kenyans especially during the current electioneering period,” he said.
This is the first time since the outbreak of Covid-19 that Muslims will be allowed to mingle and worship without adhering to strict Covid-19 restrictions.
Governor Hassan Joho, who led other elected leaders in attending the Eid prayers challenged politicians to desist from politics of hatred.
Joho who said he was on his way out of active politics challenged aspirants to shun violence and bickering, that would cause disunity among Kenyans.
He said the Holy Month of Ramadhan gave leaders an opportunity to redeem themselves and reflect on their actions while serving the electorate.
“As I hand over the button to Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir in the affairs of Mombasa politics, I wish to urge my colleagues to desist from politics of hate and blackmail. Let us exercise restraint even at the most trying moment,” he said.
Present at the occasion were Senior Principal Kadhi Sheikh Twalib Mohamed, Kenya National Muslim Advisory Council national chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao, Nassir, Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, Jomvu MP Badi Twalib and Mombasa politician Suleiman Shahbal.
The government has in a Special Gazette Notice declared today, May 3, 2022 a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr.
And hundreds of Muslims in Garissa today joined their colleagues around the globe to celebrate Eid ul Fitr to mark the end of Ramadhan. Clad in their Muslim regalia, the faithful started streaming into the prayer grounds and mosques as early as 7am to celebrate Idd. In Garissa, local leaders who took part in the celebrations urged fellow Muslim faithful to be generous towards the poor.
Abakaile MCA Mohamed Ali also called on Kenyans to ‘wisely choose their leaders’ in the forthcoming August 9 polls.
Mohamed who is the minority leader at the Garissa County Assembly said the only way Kenyans should stop lamenting after the polls, is for them to choose visionary leaders for various seats during the general elections.
Right time
“It’s upon you as citizens and voters to choose the person you think will bring development to your county and country at large. Instead of regretting after four years, this is the right time to use your vote and choose wisely,” Mohamed said.
The MCA who is also the chairman of ODM, Garissa County used the opportunity to drum up support for the Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga and called on Kenyans to vote for him in the coming general elections.
“Raila has the best interest for the Muslim community. During his tenure as Prime Minister, an immigration passport office was established in Garissa town and the office left with him,” Mohamed noted.
“The Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga is the only leader who will honestly bring change to the Muslim community and in particular North Eastern region,” he added.
