By Adow Jubat and Ally Jamah
Religious leaders from Christian and Muslim faiths vowed to remain vigilant against terrorists bent on stirring inter-religious conflict in the country.
Speaking at joint news conferences in Garissa and Nairobi, they said those who attacked churches on Sunday in Garissa town were trying to create animosity and hatred between Muslims and Christians who have been living in the country harmoniously for decades.
On Tuesday, the leaders visited the churches and victims still in hospital.
“We treat the incident as an act of international terrorism and not a war between Muslims and Christians.
The first casualty was a Muslim police officer guarding our church, but the terrorists were targeting Christians worshipping to stir despondency among the communities,” said the chairman of pastors’ fellowship in Garissa, John Maura.
He said the Christian community appreciates the solidarity shown by their Muslim counterparts who apart from swiftly condemning the incident offered them consolation and material support.
National secretary of the Council of Imams, Sheikh Hussein Mahat Noor, said terrorism was a global threat to civilisation and human existence that discriminates no religion, creed and race affiliations and it requires concerted efforts by all peace loving human beings to confront.
“Five Islamic clerics were killed in span of two months early this year in Garissa and Dadaab refugee camps. The victims of terrorism know no religious border and terrorists aim to fight human existence,” said Sheikh Noor.
He revealed that the Muslim community in the town will make contributions to support the families of those killed and injured in the beastly attacks that left 17 people dead and more than 40 injured.
NO DISPUTES
Dujis MP Adan Duale urged the Government to provide adequate security to protect the lives and property of residents of North Eastern Province, which borders the war-torn Somalia.
