Juma Namlola
1 May 2007
Nairobi — Clerics yesterday criticised Muslim MPs for remaining silent when Muslims were being harassed by security agents under the guise of fighting terror.
Except for Mvita MP Najib Balala and Changmwe MP Ramadhan Kajembe, who condemned the police action, other Muslim MPs had remained silent over the issue.
Mr Kajembe spoke in his capacity as chairman of the national security committee of Parliament.
Yesterday, Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (Supkem) Mombasa branch chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao and anti-drugs crusader Sheikh Mohamed Sheikh told Muslim MPs to declare their position on the raid.
Their views were echoed by Supkem national chairman Abdulghafur El-Busaidy and Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya secretary-general Sheikh Mohamed Dor.
"Last week's incident where 11 people were arrested must be condemned by all people. It is therefore wrong for our Muslim MPs to keep quiet," said Sheikh Ngao.
He said the manner in which police used force, broke into houses and allegedly stole valuables amounted to thuggery. He also demanded that disciplinary action be taken against the officers involved.
"This commando-style of operation by the officers is unacceptable. Muslims will reconsider their support for the Government unless it apologises and takes action against the officers," he said.
Sheikh Ibrahim Mohamed Salim, the imam for Shibu Mosque at Mwembe Tayari, was arrested on suspicion that his work permit had expired.
Operating illegally
The imam is said to be from the Comoros and police suspect that he could be operating in the country illegally because his passport and work permit had expired.
But Sheikh Ngao wondered why the issue of an expired work permit or a passport should be handled by General Service Unit, the Anti-Terrorist Police Unit and the Flying Squad.
The Muslims for Human Rights NGO has written to the officer commanding the Makupa police station demanding that the officers implicated in the harassment be arrested and charged.
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