The ousted imam of Swafaa Mosque in Kisauni, Mombasa County, has resigned after radical Muslim youths forcefully took over the mosque.
Sheikh Hassan Juma Rashid said he decided to relinquish the leadership of the mosque to avoid a bloody confrontation between the youth and security forces. Six people, including a policeman and several children, were killed when the police stormed Musa mosque in February.
An anticipated raid by police on the mosque had not taken place by the time of going to press yesterday. On Thursday, Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo ordered police to storm the mosque, flush out the radical youths and restore it to the rightful imam.
Mr Kimaiyo warned that the police will arrest financiers of radicalisation of youths in the Coast.
Swafaa mosque has been under turmoil since October 24 when radicals invaded and tried to take over. Addressing the media yesterday, Sheikh Hassan said the police had summoned him and some of the ousted committee members to explain what transpired in the mosque.
“The police requested us to give a statement on what had transpired at the mosque. After a long deliberation, I decided to resign as the Imam of the mosque,” he told the media.
The imam, who has preached at the mosque for 17 years, said the youths told him he was free to lead prayers there anytime he wanted.
The takeover of the Swafaa mosque is the latest in a string of mosques take over by hard line youths who feel the current crop of religious leaders had become government agents. Other than Musa and Swafaa, Sakina mosque has also been taken by radical youths.
