Prayer most potent weapon for KDF in Somalia battle

Friday, June 22, 2012
BY VITALIS KIMUTAI

KDF troops pray at Afmadhow, Somalia. [PHOTO: GEORGE MULALA/STANDARD]

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Even as they battle the Al Shabaab in Somalia, the 4,660 Kenyan soldiers remain a very prayerful lot.

Both Muslims and Christians stick to their prayer schedules in the morning, evenings, during and after meals.

They are also given time for Koran and Bible study sessions at their military camps.

Muslims are required by their faith to pray five times a day, but are at times forced to combine the prayer sessions due to the engagements in battle.

Fajr is offered between 5.20 to 6am, Dhuhr 1pm, Asr 4pm, Maghrib 6:20 pm and Isha 8pm.

“While advancing in the battle field, we postpone to later hours and combine the prayers especially Maghrib and Isha,” Lieutenant Colonel Abdirahaman Mohamed said.

“Being in the battle field instils the fear of God in a soldier,” he told The Standard at the military camp in Afmadhow.

Mohamed said the morning and evening prayer sessions also serve as a time for guidance and counselling for the officers facing tough challenges, away from their families.

Muslims talk to their Imam whenever they have stress.

“We are fighting a group that is using religion to propagate terror activities,” Corporal Abdulahi Ibrahim said.

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