A volunteer consoles the relative of a Garissa University College student killed by Al-Shabaab during an attack on the institution. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAHI
by Ciku Muiruri
Friday, April 10, 2015
Well, it’s certainly been a trying couple of weeks. First, the horrific attack in Garissa, and then having to deal with the news that one of the attackers was born and bred in Kenya.
It’s easier to think of terrorists as “those” people. Somewhere far away, living in a makeshift tent somewhere in Somalia. Not a person who attended the University of Nairobi.
Or some kids in Egerton sending terrorist threats because they think it’s “funny”. Not a guy in a refugee camp whom you are trying to help with abode and food.
Not someone in Eastleigh living among us. How safe can we be if the enemy is within? Trying, trying times. Well, I refuse to live in fear. Last weekend I penned a letter to Al-Shabaab that I posted on my Facebook page.
I’d like to share it with you here. Since the enemy is within and it turns out, educated, I’m sure they will read it.
Dear Al-Shabaab,
You have claimed responsibility for taking the lives of 147 Christian students. I’m sad for their families who have to live with the loss, but I’m not sad for the students themselves. Theirs was a beautiful death. If I were to choose the manner in which to die, I would choose the same – as a defender of my faith. I assume you deliberately chose this time because it is Easter, the time Christ laid down His life for us all; yes, even for you.
Why? To mock Him perhaps? Well, I have news for you, Al-Shabaab. You are not the first. Over 2,000 years ago, there was an angry mob that mocked Him, jeered Him and made fun of Him, baying for His blood. There were Roman soldiers who spat on Him, beat Him, yanked out His beard, whipped Him, put a crown of thorns on His head, and nailed Him to the cross.
They had rejected Him as their Messiah even though they knew exactly who and what He was. They had seen His miracles, they had heard His words. Who knows what causes men to deliberately do what is wrong?
To deliberately choose the evil path? I don’t know. All I know is that Jesus looked to the criminals alongside Him, at the mobs, soldiers and religious leaders and said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
The cross didn’t kill Jesus. The Romans didn’t kill Jesus. The Sadducees and Pharisees didn’t kill Jesus. Jesus willingly gave up His earthly life for precisely the scene He was witnessing.
He paid the penalty for the sins we commit in our ignorance (and even the ones we commit deliberately).
So, to all you Al-Shabaab guys who have killed my Christian brothers and sisters, I forgive you. Yes, you heard me right. I forgive you. As you fill your heart with hate (just as those angry mobs did 2,000 years ago), I will fill my heart with love — like Jesus did — for truly, you know not what you do.
I’m not mourning. I have joy in my heart this Good Friday and I’ll tell you why: Jesus will die at 3pm and rise again. So will the students you have slain. Yes, they will rise. Eternal life is promised to all who believe in Him. Kill us all! We will rise.
Your plan to put a damper on Easter has merely served to remind me why I observe it in the first place – People like you.
You are the reason He died on the cross, to give you salvation if you repent. I don’t hate you. I love you. I forgive you. Happy Easter everyone! God Bless Kenya.