Fury over State's mosques closure threat

Section of Musa Mosque at Majengo in Mombasa County. [PHOTO : MAARUFU MOHAMED]

Kenya: Muslim leaders have protested against threats to shut down what the State says are mosques that offer radical teachings, saying this would undermine the war against terrorism.

They were reacting to Sunday’s threat by Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Director Ndegwa Muhoro to close mosques he claimed were preaching extremism and promoting Al-Shabaab ideologies.

Mr Muhoro said a mosque was, recently, shut in Machakos for recruiting youth to Al-Shabaab and the suspects are facing charges.

But yesterday the CID boss was accused of not only lacking the theological depth to understand Islam before deciding for muslims what is radical but also laying the ground for mosque invasions such as the February 2 storming of Musa Mosque in Mombasa.

Critics of the directive claimed the threat was a pretext to attack, redefine and profile Islam and muslims.

Yesterday muslims and some non-muslims questioned Muhoro’s wisdom, asking whether it represented Jubilee’s policy on muslims.

And last evening, Mombasa County Police Commander Robert Kitur, who commanded the raid on Musa mosque, said police have placed several mosques “across Coast region under surveillance” over radical activity.

“We are not targeting just mosques. There are also non-governmental organisations we are monitoring,” Mr Kitur said.

Kitur also added churches suspected to propagate extremism and religious hate will also be targeted but declined to say whether such places of worship will be closed.

He declined to say how many mosques are in the Government’s cross-hairs but suggested that Sakina and Musa are still on police radar.

“We monitor all religious organisations but we are not going to infringe on anyone’s rights,” said Kitur, adding that although the State has a problem with some mosques, the problem of radicalisation affects the entire Kenyan coast.

Senator Billow Kerrow (Mandera) said shutting down mosques for fear of alleged radicalisation of youths is not a solution but a poor judgement that will undermine the war against terror.

FIGHTING TERRORISM

“It is like shutting down Mombasa port because it is frequented by drug traffickers or blowing up a house because it had a terrorist tenant. The Government needs to target individuals involved in the suspected crime, not the mosque,” Mr Kerrow said.

 

He added: “Targeting mosques confirms suspicions by Muslims that Government often targets the faith. If there is a Muslim leader suspected of recruiting for Al-Shabaab, go for him and not the facility because if you shut it down they will go to another one.”

Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims Deputy Secretary General Hassan ole Naado yesterday said the freedom of worship for Muslims is facing a threat under the guise of fighting terrorism.

“It is very sad for a senior security official of Muhoro’s calibre to issue blanket threats against houses of worship in the name of fighting terrorism. If there are specific people who are committing criminal acts, they should be dealt with in line with the law,” he said.

Catholic priest Father Gabriel Dolan warned the Government against such a policy, saying it will amount to collective punishment.

He said Muhoro’s threats were issued on the day “when extra-judicial killing of muslims appears to have resumed” warning that the CID director’s proposal “will be interpreted by muslims that they are being targeted” because the Government should pursue individuals it believes are promoting hate.

“Mombasa was beginning to settle down but the resumption of extra-judicial killing of young muslims and the Director’s threat will inflame the situation one year into the first anniversary of the Westgate Shopping Mall terrorist attack,” said Mr Dolan.

Supreme Council for Kenya Muslim (Supkem) Coast branch chairman Sheikh Muhdhar Khitamy said for such a move to be effected, there should be clear proof of such acts and unilateral decision by key stakeholders.

“Quran and hadith is used to regulate teachings and if at all there are issues raised, the mosque committee should be called upon. The Government ought to provide real proof and not go by mere suspicions to order for closure of a mosque,” he said.

SHOCKING REMARKS

And Haki Africa, a civil society group based in Mombasa through its Executive Director Hussein Khalid, termed the CID director’s remarks as shocking.

“We are utterly perturbed by the threats coming from the Government to close up mosques. Not only is this threat unconstitutional and a direct violation of the freedom of religion guaranteed in Article 32 of the Constitution, but also meant to cause unnecessary tension and concern in what is already a volatile situation,” Mr Khalid said.

A Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya official in Kwale Sheikh Amir Banda said any shutdown of a mosque will be considered an attack on Islam.

He accused the Government of mishandling the matter of youth radicalisation by not permitting an inclusive process.

National Muslim Leaders Forum Chairman Abdullahi Abdi termed Muhoro’s statement as “offensive” to the Muslim community and urged him to withdraw and apologise.