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| Africa: Horn |
| Tensions Rising between Kenyan Christians and Muslims |
| 2004-09-15 |
| Welcome to the safari capital of the world. Palm-fringed, white sandy beaches, breath-taking views and abundant wildlife have made Kenya one of the finest adventure spots on the globe. Straddling the equator on the east coast of Africa, Kenya boasts a vibrant multi-ethnic and multi-religious culture. Roughly twice the size of Nevada, it has a Christian majority and a historically peaceful Muslim minority. For the most part, the two faith groups have lived together peacefully here in Kenya. The one exception was in 2000, when clashes between Christians and Muslims led to the destruction of one mosque and two churches. But nothing has divided Kenyans, particularly along religious lines, as much as the events of September 11, 2001 and afterwards. One Muslim commented, "America just wants to conquer the whole world. That's what this war on terror is all about -- a war against Islam." Muslims and Christians, who once lived peacefully side-by-side, now find religious tensions rising to levels not seen here before. Another Kenyan Muslim added, "When the Christians say they want to convert every person in Kenya to be a Christian, nobody complains. But if we say as Muslims that we want everybody here to become a Muslim, everybody is up in arms!" A growing number of Muslims are turning towards the more radical and militant expressions of Islam. Sheikh Al-Hajj Yussuf Murigu, a prominent Islamic leader in Kenya, says he is more comfortable obeying Allah's laws than Kenya's man-made laws. We asked him, "Do you believe in Sharia law?" Murigu replied, "Yes, of course! How can I be a Muslim and not believe in Sharia law?" So it came as no surprise to Christians when Sheikh Murigu and others began demanding that Sharia courts be included in the country's new draft constitution. |
| Posted by:TS(vice girl) |
| #5 This article perfectly outlines the tactics of deconstructionism, which I have mentioned in other posts. Hereâs how it works (and BTW, theyâre doing it in Canada, too): The Islamistsâ goal is to make Africa "the first Islamic continent of the world â by securing the following objectives: 1) Eradicate all non-Muslim religions 2) Appoint Muslims to key national and international positions 3) Implement Sharia (Islamic law) across the continent, and 4) Push for Kadhis courts in the constitutions of African countries. Step by step they worm their way in: 1) âTo date, 12 of Nigeriaâs 36 states have adopted Sharia law.â 2) âMuslims say Sharia courts bolster their status as a minority . . .â 3) âMuslims initially sought to widen the powers of the Islamic courts to include criminal law. (Criminal prosecutions under Sharia law allow for stoning and amputations) . . .â Those who oppose this âtakeoverâ discovered: âthat the Islamic religion had been given a very special treatment in the (constitution) document, which was not given to any other religion. This was the only religion that was mentioned specifically, extensively and expressly in the document." and that â . . . the battle over Sharia has only emboldened Kenyan Islamists . . . a top radical leader and supporter of Osama bin Laden, warned that Muslims around Kenya will mobilize for Jihad if anyone tries to stop Sharia law from becoming a reality.â Drip, drip, drip . . . and soon the bucketâs full. âBut opponents of Kadhi courts argue that Kenya is a secular state, and all citizens should be subject to the same law . . . This is one reason why many Christians are working to stop what they see as a dangerous turn from a free democracy to a federal Islamic republic." We can all hope and pray that theys are successful at stopping Islam in that part of Africa. In another post today (at this link), we see the same basic thing going on, albeit especially âtoned-downâ for the American social context. In that instance acceptance of Islam as a special class, and recognition and legitimacy for Islam as an minority entity are the objectives. This paves the way for greater inroads into the legal system, and is a tactic all deconstructionists use. |
| Posted by: ex-lib 2004-09-15 3:55:37 PM |
| #4 That's because Christians don't kill you if you don't convert And we also don't kill you even if you decide to stop being a Christian and be something else instead. Its called liberty and in most Christian dominated countries today it is the norm. (Note: This does not say that all Christian dominated countries enjoy perfect liberty nor does it say that Christian dominated countries have never done anything wrong) There isn't a single muslim country that enjoys full liberty in law or in practice nor has that ever been the case in any muslim dominated land in any time or place. |
| Posted by: peggy 2004-09-15 2:49:10 PM |
| #3 "When the Christians say they want to convert every person in Kenya to be a Christian, nobody complains. But if we say as Muslims that we want everybody here to become a Muslim, everybody is up in arms!" That's because Christians don't kill you if you don't |
| Posted by: PlanetDan 2004-09-15 1:38:23 PM |
| #2 Boris--It sounds like paradise! Why don't you move there right now? |
| Posted by: Boring Serb Tick 2004-09-15 10:43:56 AM |
| #1 Send them to Dafur. See how they like it When Arab Muslim's rule over them. |
| Posted by: plainslow 2004-09-15 10:20:32 AM |