Three Mombasa Mosques Accused of Recruiting Militias

Amina Kibirige

28 April 2011

Nairobi — At least three Mombasa mosques have been identified as recruiting points for al-Shabaab militia in Coast Province.

Top of the list is Masjid Musa in Majengo where darasas (religious classes) are held every Tuesday with the aim of recruiting youths as soldiers for the militia group.

In a press briefing during an anti-drugs workshop in Mombasa organised by the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, council treasurer Sheikh Hassan Omar said though informed of the happenings, the government was yet to take any measures to stop the recruitment.

Efforts to get comments from Masjid Musa leaders were unsuccessful. The imam declined to speak, but the chairman promised to issue a statement after consulting the committee.

“It is the government’s duty to protect its citizens but it is sad that to date, although we have informed several security officials of the happenings, no action has been taken.

“The government should take all measures possible to save our youths by arresting those responsible for the recruitment and severe action taken against anybody else involved in this exercise,” said Sheikh Omar. To him, government laxity had encouraged more mosques to start recruiting al-Shabaab members.

The cleric said the youths were lured with false religious persuasion and money which is paid out in two instalments; Sh40,000 given to the youths while still in Kenya and another Sh40,000 on arrival in Somalia. “It is sad that our youths are dropping out of school in Form Two to join the militia group and a large number of them die in the battle field although such information is normally hidden from us,” he said.

Sheikh Omar said the council could confirm up to 10 youths dead, but the number could be as high as 50 with those returning alive posing a security threat to the country.

The youths, he said, were taught weapon assembly and usage. They were told that they were fighting a holy war yet “the war in Somalia is not jihad as it involves Muslims fighting against other Muslims.”

Sheikh Omar restated that Kwale and Mombasa were the main recruiting points. On Thursday, police released the photograph of a Somalia-trained terrorist identified as Abdullahi believed to have sneaked back into the country to launch an attack in Nairobi.

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