Islamic groups condemn killing of protesters

MUSLIM PROTESTS

JANUARY 17, 2010

BY EUGENE OMILO

Islamic organizations in Mombasa have condemned the killing of five protesters by police during Friday’s demonstration by a section of Muslims in Nairobi.

Muslims for Human rights (Muhuri) and Kenya National Muslims Advisory Council (Kemnac) criticized the manner in which the police acted during the protests organized to demand the release of Jamaican cleric Sheikh Abdullah al-Faisal.

Muhuri’s executive director Hussein Khalid said in a statement that the loss of lives and destruction could have been averted had the police permitted the demonstration.

“The police had no legal basis to outlaw a demonstration that was lawfully called to air grievances. It is an extension of our freedom of expression that no one should interfere with,” said Khalid.

He said the excessive use of force by police which resulted in the deaths should be investigated and those responsible be held to account for their actions.

At the same time, Kemnac’s national chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao added his voice in criticizing the police saying Muslims were stunned by how the police showed great disrespect to a mosque and turned it into a battle ground.

He said the actions would bring about religious hatred amongst Kenyans and destabilize the existing peace in the country.

Sheikh Ngao said the Muslim’s resolve to defend Sheikh al Faisal was not because they supported terrorism but because his rights have been infringed upon.

“The law is very clear and it should not be applied selectively. Sheikh al-Faisal’s incarceration is illegal and that is what we want addressed,” he said during a press conference in a Mombasa hotel over the weekend.

He asked Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims  (Supkem) to  bring together all Muslim organizations with a view to coming up with a national council that will be responsible for organizing demonstrations.

Sheikh Ngao said Kemnac was opposed to the demonstrations and was instead rooting for dialogue with the government.

However, Khalid said Muhuri is set to organize another demonstration in Mombasa to protest at the police for their role in Friday’s protests in Nairobi that saw five killed and scores of others injured.

ENDS…