By LUCAS NG’ASIKE
NAIROBI, KENYA: Muslims human rights defenders have condemned the killing of cleric Sheikh Ibrahim by unidentified gunmen on the Mombasa-Malindi highway. Addressing journalists outside Jamia Mosque in Nairobi, Friday, the activists, led by Al Amin Kimathi, said the killing of the cleric was an act that cannot not be condoned.
He told journalists that such killing might trigger more violence in the country.
Kimathi said that some Muslim clerics allegedly linked to Al-Shaabab have been targeted for elimination. The slain Sheikh Ibrahim and three others were killed on Thursday at around 10pm on their way to Mtwapa from Masjid Musa in the coastal city of Mombasa.
The murder of the cleric sparked protests in Mombasa as rioting youth turned violent, burnt a church and engaged police in running battles for the better part of day.
The deceased was associated with the late radical Islamist, Sheikh Aboud Rogo, who was also shot dead by unidentified gunmen on August 27, last year in Mombasa.
The Muslims human rights activists gathered outside the Jamia Mosque to condemn and blame the State for the latest killing.
“Some Muslim clerics alleged to have close links with Al-Shaabab militants have become target of elimination by hired goons associated with the Government. We have lost confidence to co-operate with State to counter-terrorist activities since we live in fear,” Kimathi said.
He claimed that more than 33 Muslims allegedly linked to terrorism have so far been killed in mysterious circumstances and more, including women, were disappearing with no trace.
