Rhetoric Race and Religion
Kenyan police and religious leaders are working together to clamp down on the spread of extremist ideology at public gatherings organised by Christian and Muslim preachers.
At these gatherings, which are a common sight along streets and at open-air markets in Kenya, preachers aim to educate their followers and convert people of other faiths. The Christian gatherings are locally known as “crusades” while the Muslim gatherings are known as “muhadaras”.
But recently, such gatherings have been the source of fiery, provocative speeches that have stirred up sectarian tension.
While freedom of association, worship and assembly are enshrined in Kenya’s constitution, Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo said that some of the gatherings can easily spark religious tension and violence.
“We have fundamentalists from Christianity, Islam and even Hinduism who can react violently if they view that their religion is under attack,” he told Sabahi.
In particular, Kimaiyo said, the gatherings should desist from debating the Qur’an and the Bible.
“We have no issue of at all with conveners of these gatherings as they try to spread their religion and in the process get a few souls converting to their religion,” Kimaiyo said. “But at a time when the country is in the throes of al-Shabaab attacks, we are concerned that some of the gatherings could only help trigger religious animosity.”
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