BUSINESS NAME MWITO WA AMANI I S S U E 2 OCTOBER 2012 IN T E R R E L I G I O U S N E W S L E T T E R O N I N T E R F A I T H In the choice of Political Leaders what comes first: their integrity or D I A L O G U E I N K E N Y A . A P U B L I C A T I O N O F C O A S T I N T E R F A I T H religious affiliation? C O U N C I L O F C L E R I C S ( C I C C ) By Fr Wilybard Lagho self from paradise by ignoring that entering paradise is to a large E D I T OR I A L T E A M ; the plight of poor Lazarus (Luke extent determined by the choices we F R . R E V . W I L Y B A R D What would I do if it becomes so 16:19-31). The rich man in this make while living here on earth. It’s L A G H O clear in my mind that God was biblical story could be any one very clear from the Hadith and Bible asking me to choose my who wields power either finan- that man will have to render a final R E V . S T E P H E N A N Y E N D A neighbour as heir of my wealth? cially, economically, militarily or account with Almighty God and that Leaders in whatever sphere be it otherwise and fails to use the paradise is the ultimate reward for S H K. G H A Z Y S H E K H religious, political or social same power in addressing the good people, good leaders. should first and foremost be hon- SHK. MUNIR MAZRUI In coast region and especially in est people not only because it’s a The forthcoming general election will L I V I N G S T O N E constitutional requirement but Mombasa County where Muslims be an opportunity for Kenyan voters N Y A N D O specifically because it’s required and Christians live in the same to choose honest leaders irrespective by Almighty God. A Hadith at- neighbourhoods, let us envisage of the aspirants wealth, ethnic or reli- tributed to Prophet Mohamed gious affiliation. The choice of politi- INSIDE THIS living together in peace to the extent S.A.W, says that “any man whom you can trust your neighbour with cal leaders will be a test of the voters I S S U E : Allah has given the authority of own integrity. What comes first: lead- your political destiny ruling some people and he does ers’ integrity or their religious affilia- Sigh of relief as 2 not look after them in an honest tion? Would I rather be ruled by a Child rights net manner, will never have even the dishonest leader belonging to my work formed smell of Paradise (Sahih Al Buk- plight of the vulnerable members religious affiliation or by honest hari-The book of Al-Adab) of the community; the hungry, leader irrespective of their religious Muslims hold a 2 ignorant, sick, refugee, foreigner identity? In the Bible we read about the etc. The moral behind the Hadith Cont. On Page 5 peaceful Demo to rich man who disqualifies him- from Al Bukhari and the Bible is denounce anti- Islam film CICC holds Inter- 3 national Day of Call for Secession & Insecurity at Coast: What next? Peace The Tsangatsini 4 Rev. Stephen Anyenda itself now and again in periodic out- · An identity that enables the community bursts of violence particularly on an address her social, economic and political Conflict Thank you for taking your time to go electioneering year. challenges through our current newsletter. As a faith based organization, we are The Tanariver 5 As a faith community, we are con- actively involved in peace-building · An identity that defies and supersedes Conflict cerned with the violence that has efforts in order to bring peace and ethnic understanding of dominance as this rocked our region in the recent past. normality in the affected parts of our tribe or the other (or this religion or the Saving the Girl 5 This violence has interrupted the social region. We are providing trauma other) Child from early and economic order of our communi- counseling to affected people, food and marriage ties. non-food items. For less than four weeks now coast region has experienced dozens of deaths where Bsp. Dena Empha- 6 In some parts of our region, violence We are working together with other scores of people have died. In Mtwapa a sises on Education seems to be increasingly accepted as stakeholders and community members minister escaped death narrowly after inevitable and part of normal way of in assisting the affected communities rowdy youths chanting MRC slogans at- things. Communities are still suspi- find a strong sense of community tacked him. His bodyguard however was cious and hostile towards each other. identification: not lucky since he lost his life as he tried to The imagination of perpetual conflict · An identity that brings respect for protect his boss. has served as foundation energizing each other Cont. on Page 3 P A G E 2 Sigh of Relief as Child Rights Network established in Tana By: Richard Mutinda It focuses on supporting reli- “At last our problems in regards to Over the decades, the rights gious and community leaders child abuse, early marriage as a result of the children have been from the various faith commu- of school drop out will be dealt with. suppressed by retrogressive nities to adopt an interfaith The government cannot deal with cultures, traditions and be- approach to eliminate early these cases alone that’s why we are lief. The children of Garsen child marriage and champion oppitimstic that together we can go a have not been spared either child rights and protection. long way to address this” said Rev on this bearing in mind that Gideon Kamwina, the CICC Tana the areas are rich in tradition Tana Delta Child Protection River County Chairman. and cultural practice that Network (TDCPN) has been More of network will be replicated in Clerics pose for a group tend to deny the children their rights. established to be a champion of children rights and especially the target area. “We would love to photo after child rights Coast Interfaith council of clerics in girls in collaboration with the have more of this kind of structure in training in Mombasa collaboration with other child rights line government ministries, every county. Child rights are not only stakeholders come together through communities and other like- confined in Garsen but every corner of the support of Catholic Relief Ser- minded partner. The members the county. Cases that we have han- vices (CRS/K) a girl child rights of the network include the dled reflect that a lot needs to be done program was hatched. In its third Children Department, Educa- especially on the sensitization of com- year now, the project is jointly im- tion Department, Probation, munity on rights of the children” re- plemented by CICC and Catholic Police (gender and Children marked Sheikh Hajj Gudo, the CICC At last our problems Diocese of Malindi (CDoM) in Ma- Desk), Provincial administra- Garsen Constituency secretary. lindi, Lamu and Tana Delta District. tion and CBOs. in regards to child abuse, early marriage as a result Muslims hold a Peaceful demo to denounce anti-Islam film of school drop out By Sheikh Ghazy will be dealt with. – ers from all the corners of the him with these teachings. Muslims clerics in Mombasa Coast region who spoke re- Speaker after speaker reminded those in Bishop Kamwina widely denounced an independent layed the message to Muslims the audience who Prophet Muhammad film dubbed “Innocence of Mus- that though the Prophet was and how much he abhorred vio- (CICC Tanariver lims,” insulting Prophet (PBHU) has a special place in lence. It was therefore important that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), the hearts of Muslims and re- people learn the life history of Prophet Chairman) but called for restraint from its specting him is an obligation to Muhammad so that they can defend faithful stating that any other de- all Muslims, behaviour of him when such an occurrence as the nouncement should be undertaken Muslims in this regard must be release of the online film insulting the peace- sound and in harmony with prophet takes place. fully in Islamic teachings and princi- ples which abhors violence. What was really appreciated during this Sheikh line with Islamic meeting is that the audience took heed Mwinyi Ali in teach- The meeting organized by the to the call of the clerics and Muslim one of the ings. Council of Imams and Preach- leaders and had a very peaceful demon- forums of During a ers of Kenya (CIPK) and the stration with no ugly scenes reported. peace build- meeting Supreme Council of Kenya We do hope that this spirit will con- Muslims (SUPKEM) - affili- tinue where demonstration touching on ing supported held on ates of CICC among other religious issues will be conducted by Uraia Ar- 18th Septem- Islamic organizations was con- peacefully. ticulating a ber 2012 vened specifically to urge point at Maka- Muslims against using violence The organizers of this meeting must be dara and aggression towards the commended for having the insight in grounds innocent people and destroying asking their followers to denounce property in the pretext of in Mom- violence demonstrations as has hap- basa, the clerics and Muslim lead- showing love for Prophet Mu- hammad (PBPU).