Islamic religious leaders in Tharaka Nithi County have asked Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga to put a hold on scheduled mass action protests during the holy month of Ramadhan.
Chuka Jamia Mosque Imam Abdinasir Mugambi while speaking at the Mosque on Saturday 25 March called on President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga to unite and hold talks saying the planned demonstrations jeopardized Ramadhan activities.
“As religious leaders we ask that President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga engage and find lasting solutions to the protests that have led to the destruction of property and create an economic threat to the country. We ask that they invite us to fast track the peaceful talks”, he said.
The Islamic leaders have also appealed to the government to find ways and reduce food prices in the country, saying the high cost of commodities and the harsh economic times posed financial implications to families especially during this holy month of Ramadhan.
According to Akida Rajab, a Muslim leader at the Chuka Jamia Mosque, during Ramadhan fast is broken just after sunset (Iftar) and Muslims have meals again just before dawn (Suhur).
Recently, the government approved duty-free importation of dates from March 13 to April 13, to be observed during the holy month of Ramadhan.
Ramadhan is the 9th month of the Islamic Luna calendar where Muslims observe a period of fasting, prayer and reflection from dawn to sunset and are expected to build stronger relationships with God.
“This is also a season where we remember the less fortunate in the society like orphans and widows and provide food and clothing to them as we build stronger relationships with God through fasting, prayers and humility”, Mugambi said.
Ramadhan is the most sacred month in the Islamic faith.