Different faiths join hands in prayer

By MOSES NJAGIH

 KENYA: Kenya’s strength in diversity was displayed Tuesday as members of different faiths broke the barriers of their doctrines and accommodated creeds of other religious groups as they mourned victims of the Westgate Mall terror attack.

Religious leaders from the country’s three main faiths – Christian, Muslim and Hindu- joined hands in seeking God’s comfort as they collectively rebuked the “agent of evil” that indiscriminately brought death and tears to the nation.

Just as was witnessed in their reaction to the terror attack, members of different faiths thronged Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) grounds for national inter-religious prayer service, seeking refuge in God, praying for the defeat of the enemy. 

The now common phrase “We are One” was the driving force as the barriers of religion, race, colour and even class were broken.

Religious robes

 The service was well coordinated, devoid of any lapses, with the two masters of ceremony Lattif Shaban from the Supreme Council of Muslims and National Council of Churches in Kenya’s Oliver Kisaka, doing their job well.

 At the main dais, top religious leaders from the different religions, many donning their religious robes, took time in turns on the podium to lead the nation in prayers.

Security was tight both within the KICC grounds and without. Screening of those entering the grounds was thorough, with officers leaving nothing to chance.

 Heavily armed officers, mainly from the dreaded GSU, stood at strategic points, while other security officers in civilian roamed around the ground.

 The sense of patriotism was evident as the three verses of the National Anthem were sang at the start and the end of the service.