The National Grand Mufti of Kenya, Sheikh Omar Buya, has lauded the opposition for calling off the bi-weekly anti-government protests, following two weeks of chaotic street demonstrations.
The Grand Mufti sits as one of the highest authority on Islamic law and theology and issues legal opinions and edicts and interpretations of Islamic jurisprudence.
Sheikh Buya at the same time urged Kenyans to pray for the dialogue between the government and the opposition to succeed and bear fruits.
He says the ceasefire comes at a time Muslims are observing the fasting of the Holy Ramadhan and the Christian faithful marking Easter holidays.
Easter for Christians, Passover for Jews, and Ramadan for Muslims, coincided on the weekend of 7-9 April this year.
Ramadhan is one of the five pillars of Islam in which Muslims abstain from food, drinks and bodily pleasures from dawn to dusk for a 30-day period.
Sheikh Buya said politicians should not divide Kenyans along political, ethnic and religious lines and sow seeds of hatred in pursuit of ‘selfish narrow interest’.
He commended President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, over the decision to engage in dialogue for the sake of posterity.
This came last week after President Ruto addressed the nation and urged Raila to call-off the demonstrations to give room for talks.
He thanked the former premier for suspending the scheduled demos in the midst of Ramadhan which is a period of fasting, prayer and reflection.
Sheikh Buya says religious leaders should be proactive in advocating for peace and unity and to mediate between politicians to help build lasting peace and unity in the country.
He said while Ramadhan is a month of fasting and deep reflection, devotion to God and self-control ‘it is also a time for socializing, food sharing and festive atmosphere’.
The religious leader called for peace and harmony across all religions and faiths during Ramadhan, while urging Kenyans to remain peaceful and law abiding as the crucial talks begin in earnest in the days and weeks ahead.
He says it’s important that the country remains an ‘oasis of peace,’ adding that Kenyans cannot afford to see people talking about violence.
Sheikh Buya urged political leaders, civil society and all citizens to preserve unity and peace for the long term.
He says Kenyans should also invest in the future of the country by loving one another and doing well for each other.
Mvita MP Mohamed Machele, urged the well-off Muslim families to help the less fortunate members of the society during this holy month of Ramadhan, to enable them to observe the fast comfortably.
He said Ramadhan is a time for renewing faith and purifying ‘heart and soul’ for the millions who share in the Muslim faith around the world.
The MP wished the Muslim community in Mombasa and Kenya at large, a happy month and urged them to pray for the safety, progress and prosperity of the country.
The Legislator also called on the youth in the region to desist from being used as ‘tools of political violence’ by rogue politicians with self-serving interests.
A former Commissioner with the Wakf Commissioners of Kenya (WCK), Sheikh Zubeir Noor, said Muslims should refrain from talking ill of others and participate in acts of compassion.
Sheikh Noor said in keeping with the season’s theme of sacrifice and remembering the poor, well-off families should feed the poor throughout the blessed month of Ramadhan.
“The act of fasting calls for Muslims to practice self-discipline and sacrifice, as well as reflect upon and show compassion for the poor and less fortunate in the society,” he said.
The leaders were speaking after attending an Iftar (breaking of the fast) and dinner ceremony organized by the Dawoodi Bohra community in Mombasa to commemorate Islam’s holiest month of Ramadhan.
By Hussein Abndullahi
