Pray and forgive during holy month, Supkem tells faithful

Supkem National Chairman Yusuf Nzibo with The Standard Group CEO Orlando Lyomu during a breakfast meeting at Lord Erroll Hotel, Nairobi, yesterday. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) has urged faithful to forgive one another and ask God for forgiveness during the holy month of Ramadhan.

Supkem Chairman Yusuf Nzibo yesterday said the month of Ramadhan, which is marked every year, is a period for prayer, fasting and compassion.

“This is the time when we should pray more, read the Quran and teach others what Islam is all about. I ask, through Supkem, for the unity of purpose for us to reflect purposely on the teaching of Quran. Let us remember the unfortunate, including the refugees,” said Amb Nzibo.

He was speaking during a breakfast meeting hosted by Lord Erroll Hotel and attended by Standard Group CEO Orlando Lyomu, Lord Erroll CEO Zahra Moi and Standard Group Deputy Editorial Director Kipkoech Tanui.

The Standard Group PLC sealed a partnership with Supkem for the publishing of a Ramadhan special pullout for the period of the Holy Month.

The 12-page pullout, “Ramadhan Special” will be published in The Standard every Friday from May 3 to May 31.

Special groups

Amb Nzibo praised Standard Group for coming up with the pullout, which he said will enlighten Muslims and non-Muslims.

While Standard Group will use its platforms to relay information on Islam, including banking and women, Supkem will vouch for Islamic ideals of peace, prayer, fasting, compassion, among others.

Mr Lyomu said the company would remain in the forefront in serving clients and special groups.

“Our customers are diverse, with different cultures, religions and genders. We cannot fulfill everyone’s desires in our normal 54-page The Standardnewspaper and leave all of them satisfied. That’s why we are always innovating to satisfy clients, including our Muslim brothers and sisters,” he said.

He said a percentage of the proceeds from the pullout sales will be dedicated to charity in the spirit of Ramadhan.

Mr Tanui thanked the team involved in brainstorming and implementing the pullout concept, led by edition editor Najma Ismael.

“What we aim to achieve with this pullout is to educate the Muslims and non-Muslims on the virtues of Islam. We hope through this publication, many will get to know Islam better. I pray that this initiative will offer knowledge and be charitable to all of us,” Ms Ismael said.

Supkem Secretary General Mohamed Mahat thanked the Standard Group for helping explain Islam and its practice.

He also asked the Muslim leadership to empower the Chief Kadhi, who announces the sighting of the moon to signal the start of the Ramadhan, with resources to help him communicate the message to many to avoid the controversy that comes with it.

“Ramadhan has many virtues and I ask you to use this month to forgive each other because God will not forgive us if we do not forgive others. We may be clean physically but not internally and therefore let’s use Ramadhan to clean our inner hearts,” said Mahat.