Joho, Shahbal, Omar in rare embrace during Idd prayers

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho (left) and Jubilee governorship candidate Suleiman Shahbal hug each other after Idd-ul-Fitr prayers at Ronald Ngala Primary School grounds in Mombasa on June 26, 2017. It was a rare meeting of the political rivals. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Joho and Shahbal were in the front row alongside Chief Kadhi Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar.
  • Mr Omar mingled with other faithful during the prayers.
  • Chief Kadhi Ahmed Mohdhar called for peaceful campaigns and elections.

Three rivals in the Mombasa governorship race forgot their differences and exchanged pleasantries during Idd-ul-Fitr prayers on Monday.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, Wiper candidate Hassan Omar and Jubilee Party’s Suleiman Shahbal joined other Muslim faithful for prayers at Ronald Ngala Primary School grounds.

During the prayers, Mr Joho and Shahbal were in the front row alongside Chief Kadhi Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar while Mr Omar mingled with other faithful.

The bitter political rivals hugged each other with smiles on their faces after prayers and exchanged pleasantries.

Also present were Mvita MP Abdullswamad Shariff Nassir and Jubilee’s candidate for the same seat Omar Shallo.

HUGS

The political leaders later acknowledged other faithful while hugging and offering congratulatory messages before they each went separate ways.

Separately Mr Omar told off National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale over his remarks against the Chief Kadhi on Sunday.

Mr Omar said the Chief Kadhi is meant to lead Muslims across the country and not of any political party.

“If he (Chief Kadhi) is wrong there is a way to correct him but not to use disrespectful words,” said Mr Omar.

RESPECT KADHI

The senator said there is need for people to respect positions that each holds in society hence it was not necessary for Mr Duale to complain against the Chief Kadhi.

“Whether you prayed on Sunday or today (Monday) we are all equal. Let us not argue on when the moon was sighted,” said Mr Omar.

He added that it was wrong for Mr Duale to mock the Chief Kadhi whom he said does not have a platform to respond.

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”.

The prayers at Ronald Ngala Primary School grounds 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.