Qaanitah Hunter- Cii News -July 5, 2012

Reported attacks by Al Shabab fighters on Churches in Kenya have united the Muslim and Christian communities in the East African state.

Al Shabab fighters launched simultaneous gun and grenade raids on two churches in a Kenyan town of Garissa on Sunday, killing at least 17 and injuring more than 60.

Head of the Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims, Imam Adan Wachu, said that the incident of the churches was ‘extremely unfortunate’.

Speaking to Cii’s current affairs show, Global Outlook, the Imam said an interreligious meeting was held to discuss ways to protects Kenya’s Christian minority.

Kenyans were assured at the meeting that Kenya belongs to them and not to Al Shabab, according to Wachu, who further explained that the armed group’s mission is destabilize Somalia and Kenya and they do not know who funds them.

“The Christians and Muslims of Kenya will work together under the umbrella of the Interreligious Council of Kenya and decided to show solidarity and form a vigilante (group) to protect the churches,” he said.

This would be reciprocated by the Christians by also guarding Masaajid, it was decided. Many Imaams were also murdered in the past 6 months in Kenya.

Wachu said that this move is supported by the Kenyan national government.

Al Shabaab creating havoc

Wachu explained that Al Shabaab is creating mayhem in East Africa and is not representative of the broader Muslim community of the region.

“Many Kenyan youth are lured to Al Shabaab because of idleness and joblessness even though they are university students,” he said.

He cited reports of Al Shabaab paying youth to join, what he called, the ‘radical movement’.

“Islam is very clear about Jihad, standard of Jihaad is clear. There is no call for Jihaad in Kenya and Somalia,” the religious leader said adding that they do not understand the aim of the group.

There has never been any historic disputes recorded between the Christians and Muslims in Kenya and according to Wachu, they have lived side by side in harmony for many years.

qaanitah@ciibroadcasting.com