![A mourner carries the body of a child, during the funeral of Palestinians from al-Astal family, who were killed in Israeli strikes, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 22, 2023. [Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters]](https://www.uasingishunews.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ISRAEL-PALESTINE-CONSFLICT.jpg)
The Kenya National Fatwa Council (KENFAT) has expressed concerns over the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine.
Led by council’s Deputy Organizing Secretary Sheikh Abubakar Bini and executive board member Dr Sheikh Hassan Kinyua, the Muslim leaders have also lamented over a decision by some of the nations to take sides.
Speaking during Maulid celebrations in Eldoret, the clergy said it was worrying that some of the influential nations and human rights organizations have remained mum while innocent children, women and the elderly were being killed.
According to Sheikh Bini, current happenings in the Israel-Palestine war are contrary to the teaching of Muhammad whose birthday they were celebrating.
“We are concerned with bloodshed being witnessed where children, women and the elderly are being killed. These events are so disheartening,” said the KENFAT Organising Secretary.
“What is worrying is the fact that big nations have taken sides instead of being mediators in the war,” he added.
With the fight ongoing and no signs of ceasefire, the Muslim leaders are cautioning that the conflict might have far-reaching effects globally.
They want a quick solution found.
“We should look at the Israel-Palestine war as a religious issue. This is something that might end up affecting everybody across the world. Nations should not be taking some. Some of those taking sides are ones that we expected would help end the fight,” Bini said.
The bombing of a Hospital in Gaza
Similar sentiments were shared by Sheikh Kinyua, a Muslim scholar who hit out at human rights organizations for not condemning human rights violations being witnessed in Gaza.
Kinyua, who is also the Chief Executives Officer of Peace League Africa singled out the recent bombing of a Hospital in Gaza as one of the incidences that should have attracted widespread condemnations.
“There are some leaders, countries and organizations that usually talk about human rights but have not said anything about the Israel-Palestine war. We call upon leaders to come together and solve the current situation,” said the KENFAT board member.
During the Maulid celebrations in Eldoret, the Muslim faithful and leader committed to making contributions that will go towards supporting victims of the ongoing war in Gaza.
Maulid (Mawlid), also known as Eid-e-Milad an-Nabi, is an observation of the day when the Islamic prophet Muhammad is reported to have been born.
It is commemorated in Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar.
During the Maulid celebrations, the Muslim leaders also insisted that there is no room for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) in the country.
“There is no religion that supports LGBTQ. We call upon the government not to allow anyone to force us into these practices which are satanic. We better die poor than accept these satanic practices,” noted Dr Sheikh Hassan Kinyua.
