HISTORIC: Jamia Mosque executive member Abdul Slatch (R) with Christian clerics at Jamia Mosque, Nairobi, yesterday. Photo/COLLINS KWEYU

BY ADOW MOHAMED

Christian clergymen from various churches yesterday joined Muslims for Friday prayers in Nairobi’s Jamia Mosque.

The clerics from various denominations were hosted at the mosque by their Muslim counterparts and later joined in the prayers attended by more than 10,000 worshippers.

The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya said the gesture is meant to bridge the growing mistrust between Muslims and Christians, especially in the wake of violent extremism.

Sheikh Abdullatif Essajee, who delivered the weekly sermon, said the two faiths have more that unites rather than divides them.

“This is a gesture that we all belong to one human race. We are all descendants of Adam and Eve, meaning we are members of one family,” he said.

“All faiths are inter-dependent and inter-related. No one can live in isolation. We need one another.”

He said belonging to different nations is not reason enough to perpetuate violence.

The Christian clerics were led by Global Peace Foundation executive director Bishop Daniel Omondi.

Following terror attacks in the recent past that have claimed hundreds of lives, there have been fears members of the two religions are drifting apart, threatening cohesion among Kenyans of different faiths.

“Our presence here is a clear testimony that no religion can be used to preach hate and violence. We are one human race under one God,” Omondi said.

The Christian clerics said they will host Muslim leaders in their churches in the near future.

The event coincided with the International Day of Peace, annually marked on September 18.

“All religions must come together and deal with the growing threat of extremism. We must say no to intolerance,” Omondi said.

Other leaders present were Rev John Alusiola and Paul Chepkwony of the Seventh Day Adventist church.

Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow said many non-Muslims have often wondered what the interior of a mosque looks like.

Source: The Star