Christian and Muslim leaders call for sobriety

By STANDARD TEAM
Christian and Muslim clergy are fighting to calm their faithful and stop suspicion among religious groups following attacks on churches and civilians.

Even the Evangelical church wing, which on Wednesday spoke with bitterness about the terror they had suffered in the hands of Al Shabaab militants, strove to draw a distinction between the terror group and the Muslim community.

The joint calls for calm came a day after Muslim leaders, whose members have also suffered abductions and even deaths in the hands of Al Shabbab gun, grenade, and bomb wielders, said they were forming defence groups to protect churches following the Sunday attack on a congregation in Garissa.

The leaders drawn from the Catholic, Anglican, and Evangelical churches, and Muslims in a show of unity passionately asked Kenyans to forge a common stand if the fight against terrorism was to be won.

They further said that they would not allow the country to slide into inter-religious conflicts, as the recent attacks in churches and other social places were the works of criminals who should be pursued and prosecuted regardless of their faith.

Catholic primate John Cardinal Njue while appealing to Kenyans to be “instruments of peace”, said Catholic bishops would be meeting next week to address the matter.

“In the meantime, I am appealing for calm and acceptance of one another by avoiding anything that could bring tension,’’ he said.

Njue also appealed to politicians to desist from issuing statements that could ignite tension. “It is important to try to be instruments of peace by making it possible in the minds and the hearts of our people that which is bound to create harmony and not hatred,” he added.

He appealed to young people not to be “carried away by the wind” that emanates from political statements by politicians and end up doing the wrong things.
Chairman of Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya Sheikh Mohamed Idris said the killing of innocent people at the place of worship must be condemned and the suspects arrested and prosecuted.

“Most people go to churches as they are the only place of worship, if the suspects pursued them and killed them in church, this must be stopped at all costs,” added Sheikh Idris.

He said the Government must pursue the suspects and arrest them and stop the killings at places of worship. “The shedding of blood in church must never happen again. The church is not a place of death,” he said

He described the suspects as “inhuman and worse than devils” when they walk into a church and shoot at people worshipping God. “The suspects are criminals. No Muslim can open fire at another person worshipping God,” he added.

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) appealed to Kenyans to avoid being divided along religious lines following the attacks, which they described as the work of cowards.

Live in harmony
“We want to tell the cowards and misguided individuals who planned, supported and perpetrated the beastly acts that you will fail. Kenyans will not fight a religious war. We shall continue to live as brothers and sisters across the country,” said Adan Wachu, Supkem secretary general.

Head of the Anglican Church Archbishop Eliud Wabukala pointed said Kenya was not facing a religious war arguing all faith groups were together against the criminals who perpetrated the church attacks. “To our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters in Garissa and elsewhere in North Eastern, we pray that you will continue to live together in harmony despite the outrageous attacks,” he added.

The religious leaders have also announced plans to visit Garissa to see the churches that were attacked, and preach inter-religious harmony.

They promised to take action against religious leaders who incite their followers against members of other religions and warned clerics who recruit youth to engage in terrorist activities in the name of religion that they were committing a grave sin.

“We hope that our schools and religious institutions will teach the youth tenets of religion, respect, and love for people of different faiths. Let your pulpits be places of preaching peace and love,” said Bishop Boniface Adoyo of Christ is the King ministries.

Maseno North Anglican Bishop Simon Oketch said Kenyans ought to be more vigilant and report suspicious people within their localities to security agencies. “Every Kenyan should mind his security. We should know those whom we are living with, while we expect the Government to protect us, let us take the first step too,” added Oketch.

Retired Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi described the current security situation as terrifying. He appealed to the National Security Intelligence Service to preempt the attacks.

“The wave of attacks is worrying. It is no longer safe for Kenyans to go on with their businesses. Let security agencies move in quickly and save the situation,” he added.

Bishop Joshua Koyo of National Council of Churches of Kenya in Nyanza appealed to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to appoint a substantive Minister for Internal Security and Assistant Minister to deal with insecurity with undivided loyalty. He urged the two leaders to make the appointments without focusing on party affiliation, saying the docket was too sensitive and key to the nation.

“It is not time to cling to the apron of politics in the appointments to this docket. We want the principals to confirm able leaders to serve in these offices,” said Koyo.

The church leaders also called on drivers and other road users to be more careful, to curb the rising cases of road carnage.

– Stories by Martin Mutua, Ngumbao Kithi, Ally Jamah and Francis Ontomwa