The strong arm tactics employed by security officials in the so-called hunt for illegal aliens is a violation of the constitution and a form of ethnic and religious discrimination on a section of the population. A joint statement released by Muslim leaders last week demanded the immediate cessation of the operation and called for an official inquiry in the aftermath of the January 15th demonstrations where two people lost their lives.
“We condemn the Police operation against Muslims in particular the Somali community as it amounts to ethnic discrimination which is unconstitutional and oppressive. We believe some people in Government have an agenda to economically disenfranchise the Muslims under the guise of fighting insecurity. This must stop immediately,” said Jamia Mosque Committee Treasurer Abdullatif Esajee when he read the statement during Friday prayers at the mosque.
He criticized the double standard approach by the police towards Muslims pointing out the use of live bullets and the mobilization of gangs and crook to destroy properties belonging to Muslims. “It is important to note that all those arrested after the Friday incident are Muslims. You cannot kill and maim us and then arrest us for defending our properties." Abdullatif called for restraints among Muslims and stressed that Muslim leaders will not relent in standing for the rights of Muslims.
The leaders further called on Muslim scholars (Ulamaa) to raise to the occasion and take their rightful role and give guidance to the community. The political and other Muslim leadership were also told to stand up and articulate for the rights of Muslims in the country.
To the youth, the message was to take a disciplined approach to issues and heed the advice of the elders. “Be more responsible and do not play in the hands of those who do not wish us well. Do not allow your emotions to cloud your intellect and reasoning. Seek guidance from the scholars before taking any action,” Abdullatif said.
He stressed that Muslims stood for peaceful co-existence and respect members of other faiths. “This should not be taken for cowardice as Muslims are entitled to all rights and freedoms as bonafide citizens of this country,” the statement by Jamia Mosque Committee, Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), the National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) and Muslim members of parliament further said.
The leaders further reminded the government that Muslims were citizens of this country and deserve better treatment.
At the same time, leaders from the Somali community have spoken out against the wanton arrests of people from the community terming it discriminatory. “Our people are unable to operate their business, venture out of homes or sleep soundly in their houses in fear of police harassment,” said a statement released by the Eastleigh Business community and the Somali Leaders Forum.
“The government should stop the discrimination and wholesale condemnation of the Somali community as its action is illegal and blatant impunity of the law. Criminality should be individualized not ethinicized,” the statement further said.
The leaders complained that even the possession of national documents and other valid means of identification were disregarded by the police who indiscriminately arrested those who appeared to be from the Somali ethnicity. “The government cannot render all IDs held by our community, which are issued by it, to be as good as toilet paper,” the statement said. They further denied the presence of Al-Shabab members in the demonstration and said the buck stopped with the authorities as they should have moved with speed to arrest the alleged militias ahead of the protest.
“We condemn the Police operation against Muslims in particular the Somali community as it amounts to ethnic discrimination which is unconstitutional and oppressive. We believe some people in Government have an agenda to economically disenfranchise the Muslims under the guise of fighting insecurity. This must stop immediately,” said Jamia Mosque Committee Treasurer Abdullatif Esajee when he read the statement during Friday prayers at the mosque.
He criticized the double standard approach by the police towards Muslims pointing out the use of live bullets and the mobilization of gangs and crook to destroy properties belonging to Muslims. “It is important to note that all those arrested after the Friday incident are Muslims. You cannot kill and maim us and then arrest us for defending our properties." Abdullatif called for restraints among Muslims and stressed that Muslim leaders will not relent in standing for the rights of Muslims.
The leaders further called on Muslim scholars (Ulamaa) to raise to the occasion and take their rightful role and give guidance to the community. The political and other Muslim leadership were also told to stand up and articulate for the rights of Muslims in the country.
To the youth, the message was to take a disciplined approach to issues and heed the advice of the elders. “Be more responsible and do not play in the hands of those who do not wish us well. Do not allow your emotions to cloud your intellect and reasoning. Seek guidance from the scholars before taking any action,” Abdullatif said.
He stressed that Muslims stood for peaceful co-existence and respect members of other faiths. “This should not be taken for cowardice as Muslims are entitled to all rights and freedoms as bonafide citizens of this country,” the statement by Jamia Mosque Committee, Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), the National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) and Muslim members of parliament further said.
The leaders further reminded the government that Muslims were citizens of this country and deserve better treatment.
At the same time, leaders from the Somali community have spoken out against the wanton arrests of people from the community terming it discriminatory. “Our people are unable to operate their business, venture out of homes or sleep soundly in their houses in fear of police harassment,” said a statement released by the Eastleigh Business community and the Somali Leaders Forum.
“The government should stop the discrimination and wholesale condemnation of the Somali community as its action is illegal and blatant impunity of the law. Criminality should be individualized not ethinicized,” the statement further said.
The leaders complained that even the possession of national documents and other valid means of identification were disregarded by the police who indiscriminately arrested those who appeared to be from the Somali ethnicity. “The government cannot render all IDs held by our community, which are issued by it, to be as good as toilet paper,” the statement said. They further denied the presence of Al-Shabab members in the demonstration and said the buck stopped with the authorities as they should have moved with speed to arrest the alleged militias ahead of the protest.
