Moderate Muslim clerics from six countries have urged the State and religious leaders to collaborate to combat extremism.
The Islamic scholars and clerics toured seven counties in Coast and Eastern regions to reach out to the youth who are being targeted by extremists.
Yesterday, the clerics from Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Yemen, India, Tanzania and Indonesia said Muslim clerics cannot afford to sit on the periphery in the fight against extremism.
On Monday, the group converged at Mackinnon Road Township along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway after a series of activities at the Coast to educate on the ills of religious extremism.
“We have held conventions on Islamic teachings on peace and co-existence in Mombasa, Lamu, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Isiolo and Marsabit counties and we would continue to do the same,” Sufi Supreme Council of Kenya Chairman Sheikh Abdulkadir Alahdal said.
Wal Jamaa
Sufi clerics, otherwise known as Ahlu Sunna Wal Jamaa, said the spread of religious extremism was the most serious challenges facing the world today.
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho announced the establishment of a Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) policy and department at his office.
Mr Joho said the department would be chaired by Education Executive Lewa Tendai Mtana.
Reports indicate that the Coast region was faced with threats of battle-hardened Al Shabaab returnees taking advantage of the Government’s amnesty.