By John Njenga
Muslim religious leaders from the Coast region have asked those aspiring for political offices to give priority to issues affecting the community if they hope to secure the Muslim vote.
Speaking during a consultative forum for aspirants and religious leaders organized by Mombasa senator Hassan Omar, Muslim clerics lamented that politicians only come to them during the electioneering period to seek support only to abandon them after being elected.
“We have been promised for instance during the last two general elections that an Imam Foundation will be set up to cater for the needs and welfare of our Imams many of whom are living in squalor. This has never happened. We want to be assured that this will be looked into by those we choose in August,” Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims Coast region chairman Muhdhar Khitamy said.
Sheikh Khitamy said the religious leaders will only identify with those who will look into this issue and address the challenges facing Imams, Ustadhs and the Muslim community at large.
“We also want the leaders particularly those who will be elected as the next Governors to contribute towards building of mosques and to help us establish more Madrassas for our children. We also want them to contribute in creating employment opportunities for Imams and preachers,” the SUPKEM official said.
Sheikh Khitamy who spoke on behalf of the Muslim religious groups in the region also decried the shortage of Kadhis in the country and said this was an issue that should also be looked into.
“We also want political parties to appoint Muslims as senior officials to ensure that all the issues we have raised have been looked into. Aspirants should help us unite the country by ending ethnicity and religious divisions,” he added.
Senator Omar who is eyeing the Mombasa gubernatorial seat promised the religious leaders that opposition outfit, the National Super Alliance will ensure that issues raised are addressed and that there is adequate Muslim representation should they form the next government.
He cited his own Wiper party which he said had besides picking him as the Secretary General had also appointed other Muslims as powerful officials.
The Senator also pleaded with the religious leaders to help in convincing the youth to shun political violence warning that this could plunge the country into a state of anarchy in the August polls.
