Muslims mark special fete with calls for Kenyans to co-exist peacefully

ELDORET: The Muslim community has called on the Government to increase awareness on the importance of peaceful co-existence and tolerance.

The faithful, who had converged in Eldoret for Milad-Un-Nabi celebrations, said it is the responsibility of every citizen to facilitate cohesion irrespective of religion, region and even political affiliations.

Milad-Un-Nabi is a celebration to mark the birth of Prophet Mohammed. Led by Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) National Organising Secretary Shariff Hussein, the faithful, who had converged at Masjid Noor Mosque called on Kenyans to take up the responsibility of making the country more peaceful by embracing and respecting each other.

"Peace will make the country develop socially and economically. When we work with each other, respect one another and support fellow countrymen, it will be easy to achieve the common socio-economic goals," said Hussein.

He said most religions in Kenya are built on the doctrine of love and peace and it would be encouraging if these values are incorporated in the political sphere, which directly affects cohesion among citizens and economic development.

Hussein also raised concern over the incessant resource-based conflicts in a number of marginalised counties and asked the Government to help initiate and sustain programmes that will bring the communities together.

North Rift chairperson of the Council of Imams and Preachers Abubakar Bin supported the regulation of social and religious activities by the Registrar of Societies, saying it will bring transparency and sanity in the groups. "The regulation will help streamline religious activities and weed out unqualified preachers and conmen who fleece unsuspecting faithful," said Bin.

He added it is important that preachers and other religious leaders get certificates of good conduct for they are responsible for leading large groups of people and need to be good role models.