Muslim leaders call for peace during electioneering period

The Islamic traditional prayers referred as ‘Special Prayers’ for rain (salat al-‘istisqa) are performed to seek God’s intercession during drought and times when rain fails resulting in severe crisis to all living things.

Sheikh Juma Omar led the faithful in the prayers where the faithful invoked God for rains and ending the drought that has ravaged the country causing untold sufferings, deaths of animals and crop failure.

The Muslim faithful also prayed for the peace and security to prevail throughout the current electioneering period in the country.

Led by Kenya National Muslim Advisory Council (KEMNAC), National Chairman, Sheikh Juma Ngao, the Muslim scholars urged Kenyans not allow the highly charged political environment to lead to chaos.

They observed that Kenya has been an oasis of peace and challenged politicians to conduct themselves soberly and peacefully throughout the electioneering period.

“We appeal to the political class to desist from acts of lawlessness in their public campaigns. They should demonstrate a sense of oneness because Kenya will remain after the August elections,” remarked Sheikh Ngao.

The cleric urged the diverse Kenyan communities to be committed to peace and pray against any unforeseen eventualities.

The Muslim cleric said elections need not be a ‘matter of life and death’ and thus and should not bring about undue tension and fear in the country.

On his part, Sheikh Omar urged Kenyans to continue praying for peace to prevail in the country, adding that the country’s interest is more important than the interests of a few individuals.

“Let us also pray for our motherland and as citizens we have the responsibility to play individually and collectively to ensure there is sustainable peace,” he added.

The clerics also call up the media not to allow politicians to use their various platforms to fan negative ethnicity and animosity.

“We are calling the National Intelligence body of the government to monitor all the political debates in radio stations to censor those who could be propagating political animosity through the media,” added Ngao.

Former Wakfu Commission, Commissioner Zuberi Noor called the Muslim community to continue praying for peace during elections and elect credible leaders.

“During this Holy Month of Ramadan, let us unite. We should also take part in discussions that would contribute to our development agenda. Most importantly being the election period, let us not elect leaders who will perpetuate corruption and other vices to our country,” called Zuberi.

The religious leaders also called on their colleagues to continue to serve as agents of peace, reconciliation, cohesion, integration and guide the nation in the right direction.

They Muslim clerics also appealed to the rich in the community to give charity to the less fortunate during the fasting period.