Mombasa gubernatorial rivals share platform at Idd prayers
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho (left) hugs Jubilee gubernatorial aspirant Suleiman Shahbal after Idd-ul-Fitr prayers at Ronald Ngala Primary School grounds in Mombasa on June 26, 2017. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Chief Kadhi Ahmed Mohdhar called for peaceful campaigns and elections.
- Mr Omar said the Chief Kadhi is not a politician and has authority on such matters.
Three candidates for Mombasa governorship put their differences aside as they joined Muslim faithful in Idd –Ul-Fitr prayers on Monday.
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho (ODM), Wiper candidate Hassan Omar and Jubilee Party’s Suleiman Shahbal joined other Muslim faithful for prayers at Ronald Ngala Primary School grounds.
During prayers, Mr Joho and Shahbal were in the front row alongside Chief Kadhi Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar while Mr Omar had mingled with other faithful.
The political rivals hugged each other after prayers and exchanged pleasantries.
Also present were Mvita MP Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and Jubilee’s candidate for the same seat Omar Shallo.
The political leaders later mingled with other faithful before leaving the venue separately.
The prayers were led by Ustadh Mahmoud Mustafa, who urged Kenyans to embrace peace saying political differences should not divide people.
Chief Kadhi Ahmed Mohdhar called for peaceful campaigns and elections.
Separately, Mr Omar said National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale had erred in criticising the Chief Kadhi over the sighting of the moon to signal end of Ramadhan.
Mr Omar said the Chief Kadhi is not a politician and has authority on such matters.
“If he (Chief Kadhi) is wrong there is a way to correct him without using disrespectful words,” said Mr Omar.
On Sunday, Mr Duale was quoted urging Muslims to "disregard the confusion that the Chief Kadhi wants to use to divide the Muslim Umma in our country”.
