Keny-(PP)-The Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIKP) has lauded the heroism of Muslims who shielded Christians from being killed by suspected by Al-Shabaab militants who attacked the bus they were travelling in Monday morning in Madera County.
CIKP Secretary-General Sheikh Khalifa said the act showed what true Islam teaches that everyone must be a keeper of their neighbours.
During the incident, Muslim passengers refused to be separated from non-Muslims as instructed by the attackers.
The suspects ran into the bush after hearing the roaring of a lorry, which they apparently thought was a police vehicle. That gave the bus an opportunity to speed off.
“We congratulate the Muslims who offered their lives to save those who were non-Muslims.
“That is the love that the Koran teaches. Saving one life is saving the whole world; killing one life is killing the entire world. These were heroes,” Sheikh Khalifa said.
REDEEM ISLAM’S IMAGE
He said the bravery will redeem the bad image the terror group has portrayed in the past about Islam.
“This is an example that faithful from all religions must emulate. We should not fall into the trap of a national enemy who wants to divide and defeat us.
“Our oneness as Kenyans comes first before religion. None of us chose to be born in any religion, it was the will of God and it is the same God that we all worship,” he said.
While wishing Christians happy Christmas festivities, Mr Khalifa said the government should reward the heroes for their selflessness.
Two people were killed and three others injured when the Somalia-based militants shot at the Makkah bus and a lorry.
In 2014, the militants attacked a Nairobi-bound bus and killed 28 people, mostly teachers who were unable to recite verses from the Koran.
Puntlandpost.com.