Muslims want government to intensify security during Ramadhan
Imams from Mombasa County displaying their copies of the Holy Quran during the distribution exercise at Al-Munawwara Al-Islamiya
BY PETER KOMBE
The Muslim community wants security beefed up during the Holy Month of Ramadhan to allow them adhere to their religious teachings as prescribed in the Quran.
Insecurity has hit several parts of the country especially those with higher population of Muslims such as Likoni and Kisauni in Mombasa County, Kwale, sections of Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu counties.
Calling for intensified security patrols, the Lamu East MP Sharrif Athman asked the national government to ensure all places of worship were given round-the-clock surveillance.
“Our plea is to have a peaceful Holy Month of Ramadhan with assured security when we go in and out for our early and late mosque prayers,” he said.
SHORTAGE OF QURANS
At the same, the religious leaders have decried the shortage of the Quran throughout the country forcing most madrassahs and mosques to go about teachings without reference of Holy Book.
According to the leaders the communication technology has watered down the Holy Quran saying the existing soft copy in mobile phones have very little impact compared to the hard copy.
World Association of Muslim Youth (WAMY) national director Irshad Ibrahim, speaking to the media In Mombasa recently, said they are working round the clock to ensure the Books are distributed throughout the country.
The WAMY association from Nairobi has over 40,000 copies that it intends to distribute and make sure all parts of the country receive their copies for spreading Islamic teachings.
On his part, the Moi University Mombasa Campus director Dr. Mbwarali Kame noted that one of the challenges facing the Muslim community was the understanding and significance of the Holy Book.
According to him it is only through meditating on the holy Quran and adhering to its teachings and principles that they will get Allah favor.
“There is a very serious challenge here. Many Muslims do not find the holy Quran relevant. This should not be the case,” he says urging Kenyans to ensure that peace prevails during the Ramadhan.
GRAND MUFTI OFFICE
On Tuesday (April 29), the Kenya National Muslim Advisory Council (KEMNAC) chairperson Juma Ngao called for the establishment of Grand Mufti office to be vested with the mandate of making final decisions affecting the Muslim community.
“This person will be responsible for making decisions affecting the Muslim world,” he said.
The controversies that round the sighting of the moon before and after the Holy Month of Ramadhan should be announced by the Grand Mufti office to avoid frequent clashes over the same, he suggested.
Calling for peace and tranquility, Sheikh Ngao appealed to the Muslim fraternity to mark the beginning of the Holy Month with humility by observing all the tenets and teachings of the Holy Quran.
