Operations in Mombasa return to normalcy

Operations in Mombasa return to normalcy Written By:KBC Reporters,    Posted: Fri, Aug 31, 2012

The council of clerics urged all residents of Mombasa to practice religious tolerance Operations in the coastal city of Mombasa are slowly returning to normalcy amid increased security presence following days of riots triggered by the killing of Muslim cleric Aboud Rogo. However, fears abound that there might be confrontations as Muslim faithful prepare to attend the Friday prayers. Meanwhile, Muslim, Christian and Hindu leaders under the auspices of the Coast Inter-faith Council of Clerics have called on imams to use the prayers to preach peace and tolerance. The council of clerics also condemned the attacks carried out by supporters of the late Sheikh Rogo and other criminal elements who took advantage of the chaos to loot and destroy property in business premises. During the meeting organized by National Cohesion and Integration Commission at a Mombasa hotel, they noted that the recent skirmishes were not a religious conflict and exhorted all residents of Mombasa especially Muslims and Christians to practice religious tolerance. There is however heavy police presence in the town with the masjid Musa Mosque in Majengo where Rogo used to deliver his sermons completely sealed off raising fears of confrontation with worshippers. In the meantime, Muslim leaders have dismissed reports that there would be demonstrations before and after Friday Prayers to protest the killing of Sheikh Aboud Rogo. Jamia Mosque committee says the alerts were false and called on Muslims countrywide to observe peace until investigations into the killing are concluded. Speaking to KBC on phone, the Committee Secretary General Mohammed Swalihu said that no Muslim leader has called for any protests at any mosque in Nairobi, Mombasa or any other part of the country. He added that security around the mosques has been beefed up to prevent criminal groups from taking advantage of the situation to indulge in activities that threaten the existing peace. Elsewhere, Garissa County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed has issued a stern warning that action will be taken against any individuals who hold demonstrations over the killing. Speaking to journalists in Garissa, Mohammed said that the government would not allow anyone including the religious leaders or groups to hold demonstrations that would jeopardize peace in the region.