Islam does not condone acts of terrorism as attackers claim, Muslim leaders say

By ISHAQ JUMBE

Muslim leaders in Mombasa have denounced Al-Shabaab’s ideology and tactics as heretical teachings.

The leaders denounced the Islamist group, saying the wanton killing of civilians cannot be justified under Islam or any other religion.

Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for Saturday’s terrorist attack at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi. The group said it carried out the attack to revenge against Kenya’s military involvement in Somalia.

Saturday’s attackers at the mall claimed to be carrying out a Muslim religious duty, supposedly as Al-Shabaab.

On Sunday, Muslim and Christian leaders in Mombasa issued a joint statement denouncing Saturday’s killings as terrorism.

The Ulemaa (scholars) in Somalia denounced the Al-Shabaab ideology as heretical. They condemned the killings at the mall where over 60 people lost their lives and over 200 were injured.

The leaders, who represented The Council of Islamic Preachers of Kenya (CIPK), Supreme Council of Muslims (Supkem) and Kenya National Inter-religious Network were speaking at Masjid Mbaruk in Mombasa.

Charged for crime

The Coast Supkem chairman, while calling for patience, insisted that the indiscriminate shooting of civilians does not in any way conform to the teachings and practices of the Islam.

“We have manifest evidence from our scriptures (Qur’an) to back this claim,” said Sheikh Muhdhar Khitami. He also thanked government security agencies for the safe evacuation of many and expressed hope that the perpetrators would be apprehended and charged for their crime.

The CIPK secretary general called for calm as Kenyans gave the government space to conclude rescue operations.