Uhuru: War on terror is not an attack on Muslims

Sunday July 13, 2014

President Uhuru Kenyatta consoles family members of the late Capt Harrison Okang’a Makaka at his home in Kakamega County, yesterday.

advertisements

Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta has assured the Muslim community that the fight against terrorism is not a fight against their religion.

He said he appointed more Muslims to the Cabinet than the previous governments even as a section of Muslim leaders lamented that he neglected Muslims from Western region.

In an apparent reference to the current terrorism activities at the Coast where a large population of Muslim community resides, Uhuru said the Government will not tolerate individuals misusing religion in the name of terrorism.

Accompanied by his Deputy William Ruto and Leader of Majority in Parliament Aden Duale, the President joined Muslims for Iftar prayers at the Kakamega State Lodge and assured the community from Western region of his support.

“When we were elected, we vowed to unite all Kenyans irrespective of religion, tribe or race. We promised to ensure development in the country,” Uhuru said.

“We chose to come to Kakamega to discuss development issues in the region. Today we come to unite with Muslims and assure them that they are our brothers.”

“When we were elected, we vowed to unite all Kenyans irrespective of religion, tribe or race. We promised to ensure development in the country,” Uhuru said.

“We chose to come to Kakamega to discuss development issues in the region. Today we come to unite with Muslims and assure them that they are our brothers.”

He referred to those who murder and maim others in the name of religion as criminals who should be dealt with firmly according to the law, saying in dealing with terror activities the Government is not in any way targeting Muslims.

“Do not tell me theft of cattle is by the Pokot or the Turkana. A cattle thief is a thief. We will deal with them wherever they are so that they can stop the behaviour. I have said we must deal with terrorism. To fight terrorism is not to fight with Islam. We will not relent until we defeat them. Because a country without security cannot realise development,” he said.

Jubilee support

He said he will fight the Mungiki, terrorists and cattle rustlers to ensure peace prevails.He called upon the Muslim community to identify terror suspects among them and report to the police for arrests and prosecution.

While assuring them of his Jubilee Government support, Uhuru said he had appointed four members of the community to his Cabinet as wells as the leader of majority in Parliament.

“If the Government of Jubilee is against Muslims, it could not have appointed Muslims to major positions in the Government.Even Amina Mohamed, born here in Kakamega is now heading our Foreign Ministry. Is that a Government against Muslims? He posed.

But a section of Muslim leaders led by Chairman Kakamega Jamia Mosque Abdulla Ateka called upon the president to appoint Muslims from the larger Western Kenya to his Government. “We thank you for appointing Muslims to your Cabinet but you have not appointed Muslims from Western Kenya,” Ateka said.

“We know the positions are few but these people send me to request you to appoint more learned Muslims from the larger western to your Government.

Deputy President Ruto echoed the president’s words and urged Kenyans not to allow themselves to be divided along tribal or religious lines.

Duale called on Muslim scholars to defend the true faith of Islam, saying the religion does not condone shedding of innocent blood.

Mining Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala called upon Muslims to remain peaceful and united in Jubilee Government.

Home
Email

Hiiraan Online